HOUSTON – Quanell X and the family of a teen shot are asking the Harris County District Attorney’s office to up the charges for a teen civilian accused of shooting the victim, who Houston police were chasing at the time of the shooting.
They want Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg to up the charges from aggravated assault to attempted murder.
Houston police say that 17-year-old Derrick Green was accused of stealing a car.
Officers were chasing the teen when he crashed into a fire hydrant in the 9800 block of Canoga in Pine Village on Feb. 28.
That’s when another teen, 17-year-old Anthony Bentley, shot Green as he was running from the stolen car, police said.
“Who gave this young man the permission to become judge, jury and executioner right out here at a scene,” said Quanell X, leader of the New Black Panther Nation.
Quanell X and Green’s family, including his mother, Elain Moore, spoke to the press on Monday.
Quanell X spoke on behalf of the family for most of the time, but said they do not condone what Green did.
“This 17-year-old young man, Derrick Green, he was wrong for being in a stolen car, yes, he was wrong. That’s why we have a court system, that’s why we have law enforcement catch him, correct him, punish him. That is why we have a system in place,” explained Quanell X.
Moore said her son is still at Ben Taub hospital in critical condition.
“I’m very emotional, it’s been very hard for us,” explained Moore. “I was unable to see my son when this happened for a couple of days and I’m just grateful that things are looking better.”