17-year-old suspect identified in killing of Westbury High School senior
Community remembers teen shot, killed near Westbury
The 17-year-old arrested in the deadly shooting of a Westbury High School senior is facing two charges, according to court documents.
HOUSTON - The 17-year-old arrested in the deadly shooting of a Westbury High School senior is facing two charges, according to court documents.
Travoris Hines is charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a weapon in the death of 17-year-old LePaul Warren, who was shot off campus near the high school.
Travoris Jarrell Hines
Deadly shooting near campus
The backstory:
The shooting was reported shortly before 8:30 a.m. Friday at an off-campus location near Westbury High School where students sometimes gather in the morning.
Police said someone reportedly came out of a nearby wooded area, words were exchanged and Warren was shot.
Campus police and a staff member went to the scene after the shooting and attempted lifesaving measures while paramedics responded. Warren did not survive.
Houston police said Hines was arrested Friday evening while walking along Hillcroft near Chimney Rock.
Police recovered a firearm during the arrest. Ballistics testing is underway to determine whether it was the weapon used in Warren’s killing.
Hines is expected to make his first court appearance Monday at 9 a.m.
According to Houston police, Hines was not enrolled in any Houston ISD schools.
Authorities were also working to execute a search warrant for the suspect’s home, which was located near where police held a news briefing Friday night.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear whether the firearm recovered during Hines’ arrest was the same weapon used in the shooting. Houston police said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working to confirm that.
Family identified LePaul Warren as teen killed
What they're saying:
Family members identified the teen who was killed as 17-year-old LePaul Warren.
Warren was a senior at Westbury High School and played basketball and football.
"He’s a good kid, and you can’t say nothing bad about him. He’s just a good kid. He’s going to be loved everywhere, and he’s going to be missed by everybody," his uncle, Darwin Prater, said.
Prater said Warren was good at every sport and was the life of the party.
Students gather at a memorial
Local perspective:
Students gathered at a memorial outside the school Friday night to honor Warren. Basketball shoes were hung on the fence, along with messages and other tributes.
The school’s homecoming game had been scheduled for Friday night, but students instead spent the evening mourning Warren.
Several of Warren’s friends said he was a calm person and a talented basketball player. They also pushed back on social media speculation that the shooting was gang-related.
One friend said Warren was the type of person who would avoid conflict and go his own way. Another said students were still trying to process losing their friend before graduation.
Brother Emmanuel, who lost his son Blake Thomas to gun violence in 2017, also spoke with students at the memorial.
He said he recognized the pain Warren’s family and friends are facing and warned that the grieving process will continue long after the cameras leave.
"We have to be prepared for what’s going to come after the cameras leave, after the activism, which is actually having to face this Harris County judicial system," he said.
‘We are heartbroken’
What they're saying:
Houston ISD said Westbury High School was placed on secure mode during the nearby investigation. Officials said the school was not placed on lockdown because the incident did not occur on campus.
Students and staff on campus remained safe, officials said.
Crisis counselors were on campus Friday and are expected to return Monday.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a Westbury High School student. My thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the entire Westbury community during this incredibly difficult time," Superintendent Mike Miles said.
"HISD is providing counseling and additional support for students and staff at Westbury, and we will continue to support the school community in the days ahead," Miles said. "We are grateful to the law enforcement officers and campus staff who responded this morning and worked to ensure the safety of everyone on campus."
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 26's Mekenna Earnhart.