"This is an innocent 11-year-old child who never did anything to anybody," said the victim's great aunt Deborah Guillory.
Guillory cannot imagine who could have done such a thing, or why. Someone shot and killed her 11-year-old great nephew and injured his nine-year-old brother, as well as a woman also at their apartment Tuesday night.
"To everyone out there that is quick to grab a gun. You never know where those bullets are going to land," she said. "An innocent child, an innocent baby that hasn't even begun his life, is over."
Surrounding neighbors like Victor Houston heard multiple gunshots Tuesday night. One woman, who didn't want to be identified, said she saw the shooting happen.
"I heard the shots, about eight shots, and I saw him shooting," said the eyewitness. "He actually ran back to his vehicle, and after he ran back to his vehicle he sat there near the dumpster about two minutes. He got out of his car and went back to shooting again and then he got in his car and drove away."
Police say a man was taken into custody for questioning. He was pulled over driving a car of the same description seen leaving the scene. Officers recovered a weapon they believe could have been used in the crime, a crime that Guillory says is absolutely senseless.
"Just keep my family in your prayers," she said.
Guillory also tells Eyewitness News that the boy's mother lost everything in an apartment fire on Fondren and came to this complex to start their lives over.
The 11-year-old died at the scene. The nine-year-old went through surgery and is expected to survive, as is the adult female that was also shot at the apartment.
Authorities say there were at least 10 people inside of the apartment at the time of the incident.
So far, police have not made any arrests. An investigation is underway.
