HOUSTON – Loved ones and community members gathered Wednesday to remember an 11-year-boy who was stabbed to death while walking home from school.
One year ago, Josue Flores was walking home from Marshall Middle School when Andre Jackson, a former U.S. Marine, stabbed him 20 times in the 1900 block of Fulton, investigators said.
The motive for the stabbing is still unknown.
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Josue's death led to memorials and marches in honor of the young victim and a call for justice.
The Josue Flores Bill, SB 195, which would provide transportation funding to students living in high crime areas, passed the Senate and is being considered by the Texas House Education Committee. If passed, it would benefit 80 percent of Marshall Middle School students.
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"He wanted to be a doctor and I want you to know he is still saving a lot of lives. He is saving a lot of children. In actuality his dream did come true. That's the legacy he leaves for all of us," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Josue's mom told KPRC2 she wishes there was a phone so she could talk to Josue or visit heaven.
The Flores family said gatherings like the one Wednesday afternoon help them heal and feel the love and support from their friends and neighbors.
"Coming together makes it a little better," said Guadalupe Flores, Josue's sister. "It's been really hard, as long as we love him the pain is going to be there. We miss him."
A private balloon release was held at Marshall Middle School Wednesday, the Houston Independent School District said.
A memorial service was held at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church at 1917 Cochran St. Attendees will march to to James and Fulton, where Josue was killed, then release balloons from the church.
Local leaders, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, spoke. Josue's former classmates put on a performance.
Josue was one of seven children. His siblings said they want people to remember him and his story: Josue was a young boy who wanted to be a doctor and was killed senselessly.
