Houston Cop’s 14-Year-Old Son Fatally Shot By 17-Year-Old Friend

Kingwood, TX – A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Wednesday for the murder of the 14-year-old son of a Houston police officer on Monday night.

The shooting occurred just before 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 20 on in the 25,000-block of North Kings Mill Lane in Kingwood, KPRC reported.

A witness told deputies that she was walking down the street when she heard gunshots near the intersection of North Kings Mill Lane and Pauldron Drive.

She told KRIV that she saw two young black men running away from the area where she’d heard the gunfire.

The witness also recalled that both of the suspects had backpacks.

She told police that after she watched them run away, she went to the area where she’d heard the gunfire and found a boy shot and bleeding on the sidewalk, KRIV reported.

The woman said she ran to the street and stopped a passing car.

The witness told KRIV that she ran home to get her husband and then they both went back and waited with the young gunshot victim until the ambulance arrived.

The 14-year-old boy died of his wounds.

The Houston Police Department has confirmed that the murdered teen was the son of a Houston police officer, KPRC reported.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is heading up the investigation into the shooting.

Officials have said that they do not believe there was any gang connection to the incident.

On Sept. 22, the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant with SWAT units at a home in the 26,000-block of Knights Tower Drive in Kingwood, KPRC reported.

Deputies said they took 17-year-old Bryan Smith Jr. into custody without incident.

Smith has been charged as an adult with capital murder in connection with the death of the 14 year old, KPRC reported.

The New Caney Independent School District (ISD) has confirmed that both Smith and his victim were students at Porter High School.

Authorities have interviewed numerous people and executed additional search warrants, but they have not yet found a motive for the shooting, KPRC reported.

The sheriff’s department said investigators had learned the two boys were friends.

Other students from Porter High School were shocked when they learned who the suspected gunman was in the 14 year old’s shooting, KPRC reported.

“It’s really sad because you know those are your classmates, those are your friends, he was my friend,” student Taylor Brown said.

Parents have expressed concern about the escalating violence in the school, KPRC reported.

“It’s a sad day, and I don’t really know the solution to the problem, but we’re going to have to work with our youth,” Bonita Lynn, Brown’s mother, said.

The school district released a statement on the tragic events after Smith was arrested on Sept. 23, KPRC reported.

“New Caney ISD has learned that the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 17-year-old Porter High School student in connection with the death of a 14-year-old Porter High School student,” the school district wrote. “We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time. Additional counselors remain available at school for students and staff as needed.”

“We understand that the events of the past few days are disconcerting for students, parents, and staff,” the statement continued. “Please know that New Caney ISD takes any challenge to the safety and security of its students, staff, and schools very seriously and will take appropriate action to support school safety. We encourage students, staff, and the public to report any concerns regarding school safety through the district’s Safe School Reporting form, Crime Stoppers, or directly to school administration or law enforcement.”

The school district also said it was cooperating fully with law enforcement’s investigation into the murder, KPRC reported.

Some students felt the statement fell short of what they needed to hear.

“I think that the school should be commenting more on what’s happening because it impacts everyone,” student Brianna Morgan told KPRC.

Authorities have not yet released the name of the 14-year-old murder victim.