A suspect has been arrested and charged in the murder of a 15-year-old boy following a shooting last month at a gas station located at 5330 North Braeswood Boulevard. According to a news release from the Houston Police Department on the City of Houston website, Braelin James, 17, is facing murder charges in the 337th Criminal District Court.
Officers responded to the scene after receiving information that a shooting victim had been taken to a hospital. The victim, identified as Kenneth Payne, was involved in an altercation at the gas station. During the incident, two groups clashed, and as they dispersed, shots were fired into their vehicle, striking Payne. He was transported to a hospital at 7600 Beechnut Street, where he was later pronounced dead.
Detectives from the HPD Homicide Division identified James as a suspect during their investigation. He was arrested on Wednesday by the Southwest Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team on unrelated charges and was later charged in connection with the shooting.
Houston Police Department has released a booking photo of James. The case remains under investigation as police work to determine if other individuals were involved. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact investigators.
