16-year-old suspect's grandmother claims his girlfriend was clearing smell of pot, not tampering

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged after shooting a James Madison High School student on Houston's south side, police said Thursday. Two other adults - a man and a woman - were also charged.

Police released the adults' names: Angelina Edwards, 20, and Demeco Rando Scales, 34, have been charged with tampering with evidence in connection to the shooting.

The shooting didn't happen on campus, but it was close by.

The suspect and the 15-year-old victim were seen leaving the school and going to a nearby convenience store in the 4000 block of West Orem at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

After watching surveillance video, police said they saw a very brief argument between the two before the 16-year-old pulled out a gun and shot the other teen.

The suspect then jumped into a car and took off as a passenger. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to court documents, Edwards cleaned the car with bleach, knowing the vehicle had been used in the shooting. Additionally, records state Scales knowingly threw away clothing that was worn during the incident.

The suspect is being charged as a juvenile.

The suspect's grandmother, Cheryl Scales, told ABC13 that Demeco Scales is his uncle. Edwards is the teen's girlfriend.

Police said the accused shooter left in a car that the grandmother says belongs to her. She adds Edwards was the one driving.

Police busted into Scales' Sunnyside home Wednesday looking for evidence tied to the shooting.

"Whatever he did, he didn't do it here, so I don't feel like this is a crime scene," Scales said.

She adds that after the shooting incident, her grandson and Edwards drove to her house. Police followed the pair to Cheryl Scales' house.

The Houston Police Department said undercover officers saw Edwards bleaching the getaway car, which is why she was arrested.

"Did you see any blood on the car," ABC13 asked Cheryl Scales.

"There was no blood on that car and she did not bleach that car. I'm going to tell you this, there was a marijuana smell in that car, and she was just trying to get the smell out," Cheryl Scales claimed.

The suspect's uncle, Demeco Scales, was arrested later that night.

"Why am I being detained?" he asked officers in a cell phone video of the arrest.

"You're being detained for tampering with evidence," one of the officers said.

Cheryl claims Demeco threw out an empty box. Police told Eyewitness News what he threw out were clothes connected to the shooting.

Demeco also spoke to ABC13 over the phone from jail.

"They trying to add a charge on me because they didn't like how I was speaking to them," Demeco Scales said.

The suspect's grandmother said several of her grandchildren were inside when police searched the home.

"These small kids, they are screaming and hollering. They scared," she said.

The 15-year-old victim is expected to be OK but is still in the hospital. The suspect is being charged as a juvenile.

"I don't have a clue that he knew this 15-year-old. I don't," the grandmother said.

Demeco Scales and Edwards were both issued personal bonds and released Thursday after their court appearance.

Students saw more security on Thursday at the school.

Houston ISD Police Chief Shamara Garber explained why a lockdown wasn't ordered during that time.

"Since it was dismissal time, there were a group of students leaving the school and heading towards the store. So, there was dismissal occurring. When the incident happened, that dismissal process stopped. So, students were still in the building thereafter. Once the scene was secure, the dismissal was complete," Garber said.