HOUSTON – A 16-year-old boy is facing charges in the fatal shooting of an Army veteran caught in the crossfire at a washateria last month.
On March 26, Michael Wartell was caught in the middle of gunfire outside a washateria at Waco and Buck, near Waco and the East Freeway on the east side.
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Investigators said the teenage boy and an adult man pulled out guns and started shooting after they retrieved those weapons during an argument. The two apparently had had a long-running beef.
"He (Wartell) was outside, he was trying to run to get away," says Houston Police Department homicide investigator Steve Straughter. "He ran inside the laundromat, and collapsed. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous."
The investigation led police to identify the juvenile male as a suspect. He was arrested on April 3 without incident and is charged with murder.
Wartell's family said he was more than just a victim of homicide. The 62-year-old Army veteran was a great grandfather, son, brother, and they say a friend who never knew a stranger.
"He was a very caring person, liked to help people," says his sister, Arva Choice, through tears. "He used to go over there to the store when the people were closing to make sure nobody jumped them to try to take their money."
Wartell lived with his mother just across the street from where he was gunned down. Left now without his presence, his family have their grief and many painful questions.
"I keep asking myself, 'Why did this happen to him?' said Choice. "If he had just been at home, it wouldn't have happened."
