Boy, 8, dies after being shot in the head during a drive-by shooting

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - After weeks fighting for his life, 8-year-old Tristian Hutchins has died.  Tristian and his 5-year-old sister were inside a parked car on March 1 when they became the victims of a drive-by shooting in the 3900 block of Scott Street in Houston. His sister is home and recovering after being shot in the leg. Tristian was shot in the head.

"They were shot by people I consider to be cowards," said Chief Art Acevedo with the Houston Police Department.

He adds the shooting was gang-related. There are still no arrests in the case, but homicide detectives say they are actively pursuing leads.

"If you know something, please speak up. We cannot provide a safe haven for people who will harm our kids anywhere in this city," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Both Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo say too many innocent lives have been lost due to gun violence. During a press conference, Acevedo read 10 names of victims under 17 years of age who were shot and killed since December 2016

"These names should matter to everybody in this community," Acevedo added. He said half of those cases are still unsolved.

Turner says he working on a forming a commission to end gun violence that should be completed next month.

Acevedo says he’s also working with the Harris County District Attorney's Office and state officials to do more to punish known gang members for having guns.

"We’ve gotten way to easy on criminals with guns," Acevedo said.

Anyone with information on the case can leave a tip with Crime Stoppers of Houston by phone at 713-222-8477 (TIPS) or contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.