HOUSTON – A pregnant woman was killed and four people were injured after a shooting in south Houston on Saturday during a birthday party at a park, and the Houston Police Department said two suspected shooters are in custody.
Officers arrived at the scene after ShotSpotter technology reported that about 36 shots were fired at the Margaret Jenkins Park around 1:14 a.m. in 10700 block of Rosehaven Drive. There were several groups of people at the location.
Police said there was an argument between the groups that led to people taking out their guns and firing them. Four people were shot, and among them was Autumn Vallian, who died. A fifth person had a wound from being grazed by a bullet.
“Autumn was my perfect child, my God gift, the one I asked for, the one I begged God for,” said Autumn’s mother, Ebony Pickett Vallian.
On Saturday, Ebony watched her daughter’s world crumble. At five-months pregnant, Autumn and her unborn baby died in the shooting.
“I saw everything, just didn’t see what bullet hit my baby,” the grieving mother said.
Ebony said her daughter was shot in the crossfire while trying to protect her.
“She ran to me saying ‘Mama let’s go, they got guns!’ Once somebody told me my baby was hit and I got to my baby and I saw her lifeless. It was unbelievable. I just held her. Wishing that she would breathe,” she explained.
Instead of a baby shower, Ebony is planning funerals for her daughter and the grandson she never got to hold.
“We even got as far as the name for the baby,” she said.
“Amaris Omri Vallian,” the victim’s aunt, Enitra Johnson, said.
“They ripped our family’s heart,” her other aunt, Erika Pickett, said.
“Y’all took my baby, and it hurts. I’m seeking justice for my baby,” Ebony said.
She is demanding justice for her daughter, whose life ended too soon.
HPD said two suspects are currently in the hospital.