19-year-old Cy-Ridge HS grad died when altercation escalated in NW Houston parking lot, HPD says

HPD identified the victim as Daniel Thompson. Darius Sims, who's accused of killing the 19-year-old, is charged with murder.

Erica Simon Image
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
27-year-old accused of killing 19-year-old in Whataburger parking lot
Houston police identified the man killed in a Whataburger parking lot shootout as Daniel Thompson. Darius Sims faces a murder charge.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- In the wake of a deadly shootout in a Whataburger parking lot, the victim's family members tell Eyewitness News the 19-year-old was a recent high school graduate and was about to start military service in a couple of months.

Houston police identified the man who died Tuesday afternoon along the U.S. 290 service road near Hollister as Daniel Thompson.

According to police, Thompson and another man, 27-year-old Darius Sims, got into an altercation at about 2 p.m. It escalated when Sims allegedly fatally shot Thompson.

Police said Sims also fired at one of Thompson's family members, who then returned fire and hit Sims in the leg.

Sims took off from the scene but was later found at a hospital. He was treated, released and taken to jail on a charge of murder.

ORIGINAL STORY: 1 person shot and killed in altercation at Whataburger parking lot in northwest Houston, HPD says

Sims was due in a Harris County courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

Since the killing, ABC13 reached out to Thompson's family members, who said they are planning to hold a vigil at the Whataburger later this evening.

According to his relatives, Thompson graduated from Cy-Ridge High School and was about to report to the Army soon.

It's not immediately known why Thompson and Sims were fighting. Police also did not say whether charges would be considered for anyone else involved.

Eyewitness News is following the latest details in the investigation. Get updates from Erica Simon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.