Reward offered to find who killed Geovanni Rios

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Geovanni Rios’ mother addressed the assembled cameras and reporters in Spanish. In less than a minute, tears were streaming down her face. You don't need to understand what she’s saying to feel a grieving mother's pain, a pain no parent should have to feel -- the pain of losing a child. Nevertheless, a family friend translated the plea on her behalf.

“Geo was a good kid," said Joysie Day. "Geo would go to church. I saw him grow up. He had dreams. He had goals. he didn't deserve for this to happen to him.”

What happened to Geovanni Rios? On the night of July 8 into the early morning hours of July 9, he was out with friends to get a bite to eat. He was riding in a white Chevrolet Tahoe along the Gulf Freeway when two cars, one possibly a dark Buick, pulled in front of the sport utility vehicle. Someone in one of the cars leaned out of the window and fired gunshots toward the SUV. Geo, as his family and friends referred to him, was killed in the shooting.

Investigators will tell you that the rarest thing is a truly-innocent victim -- that most victims have had some contact with their killer in advance. Geo may have been just that. Police have reports of someone driving up and down the Gulf Freeway that night between Airport and El Dorado Boulevard firing into vehicles.

Police say after the murder, an eyewitness says he saw two men get out of a dark Buick in a nearby parking lot..

“The only description that we have now is from the Bombshells Restaurant & Bar parking lot," said Detective Robert Klementich. "He's described as an Hispanic male with a shaved head and tattoos down both arms and on his chest, abdomen and back.” 

That witness says those were gang tattoos and he threw gang signs. The trail has gone cold and police need the help from the public. The Houston Police Department has released some surveillance photos that they hope will jog some memories. Geo's girlfriend says she knows people might be reluctant to come forward, but you have a reason to help.

“It could be anybody next," said Stephanie Baze. "It could be your son. Your daughter. It's something that isn't really fair.” 

Not fair at all.