Houston Crime: Arrest made in connection with the death of 12-year-old boy
HOUSTON - An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested in the deadly shooting of a 12-year-old boy in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood on Labor Day.
Court documents show Kahlis Willis has been charged with capital murder in the death of 12-year-old Freddrick Johnson.
Kahlis Willis (Photo: Houston Police Department)
Police announced the arrest of a suspect around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, just hours after HPD Chief Troy Finner shared this message for the gunman: "Turn yourself in."
"If we don’t know exactly who you are right now, give us a few hours on it, and we will get you in custody. So the best thing you can do is turn yourself in," Chief Finner said in a press conference around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. A few hours police did get a suspect in custody.
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The shots rang out on Labor Day in Sunnyside just after 11 p.m.
"I heard the gunshots. It’s horrifying," says one neighbor.
"Hands off of our kids in this community, and I mean every word of it," the Chief added.
Investigators say something as silly as a disagreement may have caused an older male to pull out a gun and open fire on the middle school student.
At just 12 years old, there’s plenty I should be saying about the well-loved ProVision Academy Middle School student. How he spent his last moments alive certainly isn’t one of them.
"He should be in school today. I spoke with the father this morning. He’s visibly upset, angered, but our entire community should be upset and outraged," said Finner Tuesday.
The middle school student was shot several times. Detectives say it was possibly after an argument with an older male, as he walked home from the corner store on Barberry near Scott Street, near the Kings Row Apartments.
"This homicide is not a reflection of this apartment complex. It’s a reflection of the coward who pulled the trigger," Finner said.
Hours before the arrest, Chief Finner encouraged anyone who knew who the gunman was to turn him in and help get justice for the 12-year-old’s grieving family.
"The quicker we can get this individual off the streets, and in jail, the better our community is. You can take this to the bank, we’ll get him in custody soon with the help of the community," Finner said.
"It’s very scary. It’s heartbreaking and my heart goes out to the family. It could have been my child," says Barbie, who lives in the complex.
Chief Finner reassured residents Tuesday that HPD would catch the killer. In fact, he said he gave his word to the 12-year-old’s father.
"I made that promise. We’re going to get this person who’s responsible and hold them accountable," said Finner, who added, the HPD Homicide Division now has 80% solve rate, and he felt this case will be added to that soon.
Counselors are on hand at ProVision Academy for students and staff.
Crime Stoppers was offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who could help lead police to the person responsible.