'They crossed a line': HPD chief urging public to come forward with information in infant's shooting death
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston police chief has a strong message to the three men accused in the shooting death of an infant boy: "HPD will find you and they will get you."
"Callous" and "cowardly." Those are words Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo used to describe the suspects involved in the fatal shooting of 10-month-old Messiah Marshall.
"His journey was cut short by cowards that have absolutely no respect for the sanctity of life. They crossed a line. You don't shoot at a man holding his 10-month-old son," Acevedo said.
A closer look at the death of Messiah Marshall
Houston police arrived on the scene in the 5300 block of North Braeswood just after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said Messiah was with his father who was taking out the trash at the Nob Hill Apartments when three men opened fire, killing Messiah.
The father ran to a nearby Valero gas station for help. A woman recorded the frantic moments as the father cradled his dying son in his arms.
"He was screaming and said 'somebody shot my baby,'" eyewitness Mari Hidalgo said.
"That baby smiled every time you looked at him, every time you looked at him. He was just the sweetest baby you want to see. You take an innocent life...it's cowardly," said Willie Mason, the boy's grandfather.
The father told police he did not know the gunmen, but Acevedo said there are witnesses at the apartments who he hopes will come forward with information about the shooters.
Eyewitness News Reporter Courtney Fischer spoke to a neighbor who said he saw the men.
"One, he didn't have a shirt on. He had gym shorts. Looked like he had braids or something, dreads. The other one had on a red hat, maybe a red shirt," Malik Collins said.
Police said the neighbor is spot on with the description.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information.
VIDEO: Chief Acevedo gives update on 10-month-old killed
Report a typo to the ABC13 staff
