Texas City shooting: Teen shot by brother, father dies trying to save him, police say
TEXAS CITY, Texas - Heartbreak in Texas City where a father and his teenage son are both dead after an accidental shooting.
The tragedy happened just after 1 a.m.
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First, 17-year-old Joshua Gonzales was accidentally shot by his 15-year-old brother, according to the Texas City Police Department. Then their father, Julian "Jay" Gonzales, had a heart attack while trying to save his son's life.
"All that trauma and pain, and questions, and 'what if', and guilt, and blaming himself, and all that even though it was just a mere accident," says Jay Gonzales' friend and business partner, Melo Salazar, as he chokes back tears.
Loved ones of Jay Gonzales and his 17-year-old son Joshua aren't only grieving their tragic loss, but are also deeply concerned for Jay's 15-year-old son, who accidentally shot his older brother at their Texas City Home early Monday morning.
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As the teens' father attempted to give his dying son medical care, the father had a heart attack and died too.
"I lost a brother. I lost my business partner. I lost a good man. I lost a lot. He's never going to be here. I'm going to be here, and it's going to be empty. It's not going to be the same. It ain't going to be fun anymore," Salazar said.
Jay Gonzales was a well-known, well-loved tattoo artist who owned Artistic Image Tattoo Studio in Texas City.
"I've known Jay at least 25 years. He is family. He's always going to be family. That's never going to change. Blood couldn't make us any closer. He wasn't my blood family, but he was my brother. He was all about those boys. He was a single father. So, he did a lot for them. Everything was for them," Salazar explains.
Jay Gonzales was said to be a devoted dad and a kind-hearted, giving businessman who held fundraisers and toy drives whenever someone was in need.
"He did so much for so many people. Now he's gone. I know this world is going to feel it. He touched a lot of hearts. He did a lot for the community," says Salazar.
Now Gonzales' loved ones are asking you to do something, to pray for those he left behind, particularly his 15-year-old son.
The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Damali Keith spoke with family members who knew the victims.