Arrest made after 5-year-old girl killed, two children injured in Northwest Harris County car shooting
Child killed in suspected road rage shooting
A Cypress family is seeking justice after someone shot at a mother's car, killing her 5-year-old daughter. FOX 26's Angie Rodriguez shares details from the mother and from authorities.
CYPRESS, Texas - A 5-year-old girl was killed, and two other children were injured late Saturday when someone opened fire on a vehicle carrying a mother and her five young children in Cypress, authorities said.
47-year-old Jeremy Porter has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of Zah’Layah Walter, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Jeremy Porter
Porter was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail. The investigation remains active. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Child killed in Cypress shooting
What we know:
The shooting happened about 11:45 p.m. Sept. 19 as the mother drove westbound on Grant Road away from Jones Road, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said someone shot at the vehicle near the 11800 block of Grant Road. Five children, all under the age of 10, were inside the car.
5-year-old Zah’Layah was shot. Two other children suffered minor injuries from shattered glass. The mother, Monica Hicks, was not injured.
Zah’Layah was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she died.
‘All of my children were there’
What they're saying:
Hicks said she was preparing to turn right into her home at The Estates at Cypress complex when someone in a white, four-door Ford truck began shooting.
"The light of my life ... she was so loving," Hicks said. "The last thing she told me was, ‘I love you, mommy,’ and she gave me a kiss. Who knew that would be the last time I’d ever hear my daughter talk?"
Hicks said her remaining children have been deeply traumatized by what they experienced.
"All of my children were there, and they witnessed their sister lifeless on the floor," she said. "They are traumatized, and they’re asking questions."
Zah'Layah (Photo courtesy of family)
Jeremy Porter arrested, charged with capital murder
What we don't know:
Gonzalez said Porter was arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with Zah’Layah’s death.
Automated license plate reader technology helped detectives develop critical information during the investigation, Gonzalez said.
Porter was booked into the Harris County Jail. Additional details about the case may be released as the investigation continues.
All people charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What you can do:
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact:
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office: 713-221-6000
- Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)
The Source: Information in this article is from the Harris County Sheriff's Office and Monica Hicks, Zah'Layah's mother.