Family says teen shot, killed in southeast Houston was robbed

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The family of Jeremy Contreras, 17, gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember him and raise awareness since his killer is still out there. As his memorial continues to grow, so do their hopes that justice will be served.

It was Friday, June 22, when Contreras was found dead in a stairwell at the Bellfort Pines Apartments on Canyon Street. A single gunshot wound to the head ending the life of the teen who was a described as a sweet boy who always took care of his mother. Jeremy recently graduated from San Jacinto High School and wanted to serve in our military.

“He had dreams. He was planning on going to the Army. He had everything filled out, he was just waiting for my mom's signature to go to the Army,” said Contreras's sister Merary Contreras.

The family says the only thing they know is Jeremy received a phone call that night and went outside before he was killed. His sister tells FOX 26 he was robbed. "They took his things, they robbed him. He didn’t have his phone, he didn’t have his necklace, he didn’t have his stuff with him.“

Family and friends gathered at the scene to comfort each other, pray, and light candles in his memory. They claim no detectives have come to visit the family and are hoping this vigil will bring them more attention for justice.

“We do have some phone call records. We have a lot of information that we have gathered, but we have not had a detective come to receive the information that this family has gathered on their own,” said Honorary Mayor of Sunnyside Sandra Massie Hines.

Reina Contreras, Jeremy's mother, was the most heartbroken. Jeremy was her youngest and always looked out for her to make sure she was safe when she returned home from work.

She tells FOX 26, “I want justice for my son because it’s almost eight days that have already passed, and they don’t have them there are lots of questions but no answers.”

If you know any information that can help investigators track down the person or people responsible for Jeremy’s death please contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.