The case stems from a shooting on Aug. 21, 2023, when Emmanuel "Manuel" Delgado was reportedly driving with three other teens in the car before he was shot and killed along Wallisville Road.
Authorities initially said the gun unintentionally went off but later charged Fabian Valdez with shooting Delgado.
SEE PREVIOUS REPORT: 18-year-old accused of discharging gun, killing friend while driving in northeast Harris County
Arrest made weeks after family insisted 16-year-old didn't shoot himself
"He was shot and killed. He didn't shoot himself," Emmanuel's cousin, Adan Delgado, told ABC13 in September.
Delgado was a junior at C.E. King High School, according to his family.
"It hurts a lot. We're in pain. He was so young. He didn't deserve that," Emmanuel's other cousin, Palmira Delgado, said.
Valdez and his family reportedly lived across the street from Emmanuel's family and were all friends.
Court records show the jury returned a no-bill on the case and failed to indict Valdez last month.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Gun goes off in car with 4 teens inside, killing 16-year-old driver in NE Harris Co., sheriff says
16-year-old driver 'very critical' after gun fired during crash: HCSO