Teen identified in Katy-area killing; Deputies still searching for gunman

KATY, Texas – The 17-year-old killed in a shooting in west Harris County has been identified by law enforcement as Jakobi Xavier Mitchell.

The shooting happened around 11:40 p.m. Monday in the Katy area, officials said.

Four 17-year-olds were riding in a vehicle when someone started firing at the vehicle, authorities said.

“There are bullet strikes in the vehicle itself,” said Sgt. G. Pinkins, with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. “That is just an indication to us that those shots came from outside the vehicle.”

Jakobi was shot and the group started looking for help when they found a Katy police officer near the new In-N-Out.

Authorities said the group pulled over in a parking lot near the restaurant and told the officer their friend had been shot, but the group’s efforts to get help were in vain.

Jakobi, who was a senior at Cy-Parks High School, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The three other teens inside the vehicle were not injured.

Friends are in disbelief about the murder of Jakobi. He was the oldest of four brothers.

Nura Saris said she has been friends with Jakobi since he moved from Port Arthur five years ago. They both attended CY-Parks High School together and were set to graduate in May. Saris said Mitchell was loved by many and his killing doesn’t make much sense.

“He never had bad blood between anybody. I think he was just caught at the wrong time at the wrong moment,” Saris said.

Authorities said they are not sure where the shooting happened, but deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office had already been called out to a location about half a mile away for another shooting.

Investigators are still working to determine if the two scenes are connected.

Authorities said no weapons or drugs were found inside their vehicle and they are cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.