HOUSTON – On Monday, Isaiah Kain Salas-Martinez, the person accused of shooting and killing a 23-year-old man at a house gathering over the weekend, appeared before a judge.
Houston police said he's accused of killing Cole Harrell.
"I'm very sad, as can be expected," said Susan Harrell, Cole's mother. "No one tries to plan for the funeral of a 23-year-old, but we're dealing with it."
Police said the shooting happened around 3 a.m. Sunday in the 14000 block of Waterside View Court.
Harrell, his younger brother and a couple of friends were hanging out at a friend's home, according to his family.
"Cole wanted to hang out with Chase because he knew he was going to come into town so they decided to go," said Harrell.
She said her youngest son, Chase, who plays football at the University of Kansas, was home for the break and Cole was excited to spend time with him.
"My reaction when I got the news was horrible," said Harrell about finding out her son had been shot and killed.
Salas-Martinez told police he received a phone call from his intoxicated girlfriend at the home.
Someone inside the home opened the door to find Salas-Martinez armed with a shotgun and pistol, police said.
When he entered, Cole, along with his brother and someone else, attempted to disarm Salas-Martinez, according to the family.
Investigators didn't say how many, but said at least one shot was fired, striking Cole in the chest.
It's unclear whether or not the gun was intentionally fired, Houston police said.
Cole was pronounced dead at the scene. Houston police said Salas-Martinez left the scene with his girlfriend after the shooting but later returned.
Salas-Martinez, 20, turned himself in to police and was arrested.
Cole had just graduated from Tulsa Welding College, Harrell's older brother Corbin told KPRC2. Cole previously played football at Huffman-Hargrave High School.
"That's my fishing buddy, that's who I go fishing with all the time and now I'm going to take his son fishing, which is not a bad thing, but I would rather he be there too," said a choked-up Corbin.
The family is still working on funeral arrangements, and it has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs and for Cole's 5-year-old son.