Police ask public for help in SW Houston murder case

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are making a plea to the public to help find the suspect in a shooting in southwest Houston that left a cab driver dead earlier this year.

The shooting happened on September 28 at around 11:30pm. The victim, Siryon Ishmael, 58, was found shot right outside his home in the 9600 block of Azeem. According to investigators, he had just arrived home from work and stepped out of his car when someone confronted him.

His roommate reported hearing gunfire. A neighbor reported hearing shouting and someone demanding money before the shooting.

The family describes Ishmael as the 'father' of the family, because their parents had already passed away, and say he was college-educated man with dreams of working for himself. More than 2 dozen of his family members gathered with investigators at HPD headquarters to make the plea for information.

"This is Christmas, this is the time of year, when we're asking you to bring our loved one, to give us some closure, anything you know, as small as you think it is, give them a call," said Amadu Sirleaf Jr., the victim's cousin.

The suspect is described only as 5'5" - 5'8", black male, 18 to 20 years of age with a thin build and southern accent.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.