HOUSTON – Twelve-year-old Carlos Fernandez never made it to school Monday morning after deputies said he was shot and killed inside his family’s apartment in east Harris County.
Daisy Delgado lives next door and recalled hearing loud banging and the sound of tears woke her up.
“I kept hearing a woman crying and that is what I woke up to. All I heard was her saying that he got shot and they ran off. I didn’t expect it to be a kid,” said Delgado.
Deputies said it appeared the shooter went up to a window and opened fire directly into the bedroom, killing young Carlos. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the shooter took off in a pickup truck. Deputies did not have a description of the truck.
One of the bullets went through Jim Simms and Minnie Sandles’ dining room, next door.
“I’m laying in my bed and I heard something go ‘clank, pop’ and I walked out about right here but I had no idea there was a hole in that wall,” Sandles said.
“Next thing I know, I’m getting ready for work this morning and my door is taped off and that’s when I discovered something had happened,” Simms said.
Carlos’ little sisters, ages 6 and 7, were also in the home at the time of the shooting, but they were not hurt, according to family members. Loved ones said Carlos’ mother and another man inside the home, also dodged the gunfire.
Deputies said they believe the shooting was targeted.
The Sheriffs Office has not said why the family and their apartment was targeted or the possible relationship between the shooter and the family.
Neighbors who heard the chaos this morning said they have been concerned about the family’s safety in the past. Three days before Carlos’ death, neighbors saw deputies outside the family’s apartment.
“All I saw was cops and them outside in the back arguing,” Delgado said.
“I’m hearing them and I’m sitting there watching TV and I’m hearing stuff going up against the walls,” Simms said.
It’s unclear if the 911 call to the family’s home on Friday is connected to Monday’s shooting, but neighbors are hoping whoever killed young Carlos is caught.
Family members describe Carlos as adorable, helpful and the best son, brother and grandson. They are asking for the community’s prayers. The family has created a GoFundMe page to help with their unexpected costs.
Galena Park Independent School District said Carlos was a student at Cobb’s 6th grade campus.
Counseling services have been provided to students and staff.