HOUSTON – Constables Mark Herman and Sherman Eagleton have raised money to help the family pay for the funeral expenses of Darius Dugas Jr., an 11-year-old boy who was shot to death outside his northeast Harris County apartment.
The Constables gave Darius’ family $5,000, and also notified them that they would provide deputies to aid with the funeral procession.
Recommended Videos
According to a release, no county funds were used for the donation.
READ: 11-year-old dies after being shot outside NE Harris Co. residence, HCSO says
Darius, affectionately called “DJ,” was shot multiple times in the parking lot of Vireo Apartments located at 12212 Tidwell Rd. on Feb. 3.
According to his mother, Brenetta Francis, the family had just arrived home shortly after 6 p.m. and DJ realized he left his jacket and a few other items in the car. The family lives on the third floor of the apartment building and the child walked down to the parking lot.
Francis said about a minute or so later, they heard gunshots. Her oldest son ran downstairs and found his little brother lifeless. He had been shot in the chest.
When deputies with the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office arrived on the scene, his family was attempting to administer CPR. Paramedics rushed DJ to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses describe seeing what they believe was a teen boy with a short afro fleeing the scene on foot. He was wearing a white shirt and dark sweat pants. The suspect ran northbound through the complex and jumped over a wooden fence, investigators said.
Francis believes the suspect was trying to rob her son.
As of Feb. 8, the gunman was still at large.
Anyone with information is asked to contact HCSO at 713-274-9100 or 713-222-8477.
A GoFundMe link has also been created to help cover burial expenses.