Houston shooting claims the life of 90-year-old Navy veteran during carjacking incident
The Houston Police Department is investigating the tragic shooting of a 90-year-old Navy veteran at an independent living community in southwest Houston. The victim has been identified by his family as Nelson Beckett.
The incident happened around 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. Authorities say it looked like Beckett was sitting in his car when an unknown man approached him, assaulted him, and shot him. When the police arrived, they found Beckett with gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Despite the efforts of Houston Fire Department paramedics, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The suspect stole his belongings and his vehicle. Police later found the stolen car abandoned at an apartment complex on Dunlap Street.
The suspect is described as a black man, estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old.
Mr. Beckett’s daughter, Tami Freund, shared that he was the kindest, funniest man you’d ever meet. He served in the Navy and was known for his love of meeting people. He often greeted others with jokes and handed out his famous business card, which read, "my card." His sense of humor and warmth brightened everyone’s day, and he believed that everyone had value.
A devoted family man, Nelson Beckett, had five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and another on the way. He often spoke of how blessed he felt to have such a big, wonderful, loving Christian family. He spent much of his time helping others, driving people without cars to doctor’s appointments, FEMA offices, stores, and even to church on Sundays. He was known to help friends from a halfway house, taking them to panhandle or driving them to church, where he even baptized several of them.
"He loved big and loved his family so much," Tami Freund said. "To him, everyone had value, and he would do anything for anyone."
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.