A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead in southwest Houston, authorities said.
Patrol officers were called to an alley near 10606 Brooklet Drive around 8 p.m. Friday, where they found the victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead. The suspect, identified by police as Lebron Augustus, was booked and charged Monday in the 230th Criminal District Court.
In a press release from the Houston Police Department, investigators identified the victim as 20-year-old John Pascuasa-Menendez. The statement notes that Homicide Division detectives S. Chettry and H. Martinez are leading the investigation under incident number Inc. #165419625. The department also released a booking photo of Augustus and provided a media contact for follow-up questions.
Legal Implications
Although Augustus is 17, his case is moving forward in adult criminal court. He is charged in the 230th Criminal District Court under Texas law, which treats 17-year-olds as adults in criminal proceedings. That policy has been a point of ongoing debate in the state; as The Dallas Morning News has reported, Texas automatically processes 17-year-old defendants in the adult system. If convicted of murder, Augustus would face adult sentencing under the state penal code.
Investigation and Next Steps
HPD Homicide detectives continue to work the case and are asking anyone with information to come forward. The press release directs tipsters and media to reference incident number Inc. #165419625. The document also lists a media-relations contact at 713-308-3280 and again names Detectives S. Chettry and H. Martinez as the lead investigators.
