Detectives say Neal Bland, 18, and 19-year-old Kegan Arrington are already in custody. Arrington had already been behind bars on an unrelated charge, and Bland was arrested Friday morning. Both are charged with capital murder in connection to the December 21 attempted robbery at Willowbrook Mall.
Detectives say the victim, Joshua Wood, and another man went to Willowbrook Mall to buy several pairs of the latest Air Jordan sneakers. While driving back to a residence in the 1700 block of Plumwood Drive at around 10:30am, a vehicle pulled in front of their car and an armed suspect got out and demanded the shoes.
Deputies say the driver took off running on foot, with the suspect shooting after him, leaving Wood in the car. As the driver was knocking on a neighbor's door looking for help, he heard another set of shots. According to investigators, those shots were fired at Wood in the car by the second suspect.
Wood, who was trying to get behind the wheel of the car to escape, drove away wounded. He crashed in between two houses and hit a gas line. He was taken to Houston Northwest Hospital where he died this week.
The driver was not hurt.
Bland's criminal history include assault and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Arrington's includes a charge of failure to report a felony.
Both suspects are due in court on Wednesday.
