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Community still seeks justice for Josue Flores, 11

By Maria Salazar and FOX 26 News
Published  May 17, 2018 9:44am CDT
Josue Flores Case
FOX 26 Houston

HOUSTON - Neighbors in north Houston are leaning on each other in their search for justice for Josue Flores.

"I’m very grateful because I see the community coming together so that my son’s death will not be forgotten," said Maria Flores, Josue’s mother.

On Thursday, dozens gathered at Fulton and James streets where her 11-year-old son was stabbed to death while he was walking home from school exactly two years ago. Surveillance video shows the suspect running away from the scene.

"I reassure [the community] that we have not forgotten Josue. And, we haven’t," said Tom Berg, First Assistant District Attorney for Harris County.

However, Berg says the case is at a standstill.

"Right now, it just sits," he added. "It is an open case, but it’s not active in the sense that we have anything ongoing in the court."

Two men were arrested in the case but later let go, including Andre Jackson. Jackson was released after investigators could not find DNA evidence to link him to the crime.

"We don’t have a change in the evidence status from when we dismissed it the last time, last year," Berg explained.

The hope now is that someone will come forward information that will lead to a break in the case.

"It’s not too late. If you know something, please say something," said Councilwoman Karla Cisneros, City of Houston District H. She was one of several speakers at Thursday’s community gathering.

Since Josue’s death, neighbors say they’ve become more vigilant. Some have taken action as volunteers with Safe Walk Home Northside. Stella Mireles-Walters who found the organization says they’ve trained about 100 volunteers to identify suspicious activity as kids walk to and from school.

"People want to connect. They want do something," Mireles-Walters said.

For volunteers, it’s also a way for the community to remember Josue.

Anyone with information can contact Crime-Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477) or through their website. Tipsters can remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.