Vigil held for fallen HPD officer

The event at Tidwell near Bingle in Northwest Houston was part rally, part prayer vigil and part memorial for Officer Abernethy. The officer was gunned down in the same apartment complex where the gathering was held.

April Alfred held the officer's head Sunday morning as he was dying just outside her door. She says he's the second man she's seen die from gunshots in the complex and she fears what might happen next.

"One day a small child might be out here dead," she said.

Residents say it is a high crime neighborhood. In fact it is an area where HPD has concentrated its efforts because of crime.

Officer Abernethy was working overtime when he was murdered. The man accused of killing him says it was an accident.