HOUSTON – A teacher's assistant who worked with special education students at Wisdom High School was killed early Monday morning in a shooting at a nightclub in Houston’s Third Ward.
The shooting was reported about 1:30 Monday morning at the D-Bar Lounge near Dowling Street and Wheeler Avenue.
Houston police said 39-year-old Untorio Jones got into a fight with two other people inside the bar. They said at least one person pulled out a gun and shot Jones multiple times in the chest.
“The wrong thing was said to each other, because they ran into each other and then it just got heated and somebody pulled out a gun and started shooting,” said Shawn Overstreet, of the Houston police's Homicide Division.
The gunman ran from the scene, police said.
Family members say Jones was a father raising four children and was not the type of person to get into a brawl with anyone.
“One of the best people I have ever met. He will give you the shirt off his back for anybody. He promoted education, family, business and God. He made everybody laugh,” said longtime friend Cory Williams.
Jones posted videos on Facebook from a toy drive at Henderson Park in North Houston just hours before the deadly shooting. Family members said he helped organize it and gave back to the community often.
Jones' family said they want justice.
“I know he was a good person and I know he was a God-fearing person and he loved the Lord,” said Jones’ mother, Sandra Holbert. “You just need to turn yourself in and let God deal with you for what you have done and how you have destroyed this family.”
“I just hope he come and bring himself forward, help my family, let our family be in peace,” said Jones' brother Keith Hamilton.
Investigators said about 100 people were inside the club at the time of the shooting, but only three stayed to talk to officers.
Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
Family members talk about Jones and ask his killers to come forward. KPRC2
Posted by KPRC2 Cathy Hernandez on Monday, December 19, 2016