Vigil held for Tristian Hutchins at Emancipation Park
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - With balloons in the air and prayers read aloud, it was a night to honor the life of 8-year-old Tristan Hutchins. Dozens of people gathered at Emancipation Park in the historic Third Ward of Houston. Family, friends, state and city leaders, and even children who knew him attended.
“Everybody will always be with him,” said Mia Nell, a classmate of Hutchins.
“I’m praying for you and with you,” said Jeane Jones.
Hutchins, along with his five-year-old sister, were shot outside of a nail salon on Scott Street while inside of their mother's car waiting for her. Since Houston police and city leaders have encouraged the public to come forward with any information, a tip to Crime Stoppers of Houston eventually paid off. Police found enough information to arrest 18-year-old Devonte Lockett.
“Obviously, thank God they’ve caught the young man who is only 18 years old, which is 10 years older than the young kid who got killed," says Reverend Robert Gilmore Sr. with Houston Ministers Against Crime. "I think the reality is we are going to have to work as hard as possible to make sure people understand that you doing this kind of action or taking these kind of steps in the streets that leads to this kind of evil is going to have repercussions.”
People close to Hutchins' family came to pay their respects.
“Just keep praying for the hood and just keep on going this tragedy will never happen again in Third Ward not just and Third Ward but around all the areas around Houston, Texas,” says Freddie Alexander.
The viewing for Hutchins will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Williams Temple Church.
Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo said that Lockett is a known gang member who has a criminal record, including leading officers on a chase in 2017 and carrying a firearm. He also said that Lockett was shot in the face in late 2017 during a drive-by shooting.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston by phone at 713-222-8477 (TIPS).