James Williams was always known for helping people. In fact, that's exactly what he was doing just before he died.
"He was lying in the bed and the uncle ran in and told him someone was breaking in, to come with his gun and as he got downstairs, he was shot in the chest," said Cheryl Williams, James' aunt.
Williams' family says he lived in the garage apartment right behind his wife's aunt and uncle's house. Houston police say around 1am Sunday, two masked men carrying guns walked into the house through the unlocked front door.
"Two suspects entered one of the houses behind me and drug an invalid woman out of her bed and took her purse," explained C.E. Elliot with the Houston Police Department.
Police say the woman was recently released from the hospital after having her leg amputated. Family members say she was also blind. When Williams, a father of four, ran to the front of the house trying to protect his in-laws, he was shot. He died at Ben Taub hospital.
"It hurts, something that was unexpected, something that didn't have to happen," said Cheryl.
Now, his children and wife, who intended to celebrate their father and husband Sunday, are grieving.
"He was my best friend," said Kelly Williams, James' wife. "I didn't have to call on anyone as long as I had him."
The suspects took off on foot. They possibly had a getaway car not far away. Right now, we don't know the condition of female in hospital.
If you know anything about this case, call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. You don't have to give your name and you could earn a cash reward.
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