25-year-old man charged with murder in north Houston gas station killing, sources tell ABC13

Eyewitness News was the first to air cell phone video showing Demrick Thomas' heated exchange before he was shot to death.
Friday, September 17, 2021
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police believe they have arrested the man who they say shot a father of seven to death over a "door ding" at a north Houston gas station parking lot, a source close to the investigation told ABC13 on Thursday.

Twenty-five-year-old Elijah Kuluanya faces a murder charge after Demrick Thomas was shot to death in the area of Northborough and Meadowfern on Tuesday.
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READ ORIGINAL REPORT: N. Houston gas station shooting may have been sparked by car door hitting another, police say
Video shows heated moments before man killed over 'door ding'


Details of Kuluanya's arrest were not immediately disclosed, but detectives said they knew he needed to be off the streets immediately.

Up to 12 gunshots could be heard on video taken from the scene. Court records obtained by Eyewitness News state Thomas had so many bullet holes in his body, hospital staff couldn't count them.

Thomas died during surgery.



Thomas would've turned 35 years old this coming Saturday. He leaves behind seven kids, including his youngest who is a two-year-old little girl.

Images were released of a man, a woman and the Mercedes involved in the Thomas' shooting death.
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HPD released photos from the incident. On the left, while blurry, police say it's the suspected shooter. The woman on the right is a person of interest.



Following Thomas' death, ABC13 obtained cell phone video captured by his girlfriend that showed the tense moments that led up to the shooting.

This is a developing story. Get the latest updates by following ABC13 reporter Stefania Okolie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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