HOUSTON – Family and friends of 26-year-old Eric Burch, Jr. gathered at his parents’ home in Maynard, in San Jacinto County, Monday night to remember their son.
Burch’s father Eric Burch Sr., said, "God sets the bounds. He determines our time. My son touched a lot of lives. He didn't know that he was touching lives. But he touched so many people.”
Investigators said Burch Junior and his accused killer, Zacchaeus Mitchell, got into a fight on Christmas. Investigators said the two exchanged punches when Burch arrived to pick up the two kids he shared with Mitchell’s girlfriend.
Court documents indicated Mitchell got up off the ground during the fight, shot Burch in the chest and killed him as his two young sons watched.
Burch Junior’s mother, Arletha Burch, said, "They are two wonderful kids. And they're real, real nice kids. And he does all he can to take care of his kids and take care of his family and take care of people."
Now his family will plan a funeral knowing that every Christmas celebration will come with a memory of their son’s death. His mother said, "It's not supposed to happen no day. No matter whose kid this is, it don't matter if it was mine or anyone else's kid, this shouldn't have happened at all."
Burch Senior added, "Yes, Christmas will never be the same for us because every Christmas we'll remember that God called him home on that day. We will celebrate every Christmas that on that day the life he lived and the legacy he left behind."
Mitchell was expected to appear in court late Monday or early Tuesday to hear the charges against him.