An Humble man charged in his friend’s murder is now free after investigators learned more about his alibi.
20-year-old Mark Crooms tells KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel he was arrested on July 19, three days after 19-year-old John Holmes was shot and killed.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Holmes was shot to death near the 300 block of Raypine Drive on July 16.
Crooms said surveillance video showed him at his home around the time the murder happened, which led to his release. The shooter is still on the run.
Surveillance video outside Crooms Humble home, captured him walking out with his hands up as investigators took him into custody. It was July 19, three days after his friend’s murder.
I asked them, ‘what am I being arrested for?’ He said, ‘murder.’ And he said, you’ve been arrested for the murder of John Holmes,” said Crooms.
Crooms said he was told detectives found his fingerprints in Holmes car. He said he was in Holmes car the night before the murder. The day Holmes was killed on July 16, was Crooms birthday.
“The only thing I did on my birthday was go to McDonald’s and stayed at the house all day,” said Crooms.
Around 6:40 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Raypine Drive in Spring where Holmes was shot and killed. Surveillance video from Crooms home, helped prove his alibi. The video shows him getting out of his car after returning from McDonald’s around 6:27 p.m.
A second vide shows him throwing out the trash around 6:42 p.m., two minutes after deputies were dispatched to the shooting scene. Crooms home is roughly 20 miles from the crime scene.
Crooms said he learned about his favorite basketball teammates’ death the next morning. He said if he did not have the surveillance video, he would probably still be in jail.
“100%. I believe they still feel like I got something to do with it,” said Crooms.
KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel spoke with Holmes sisters, Lexus and Brianna Holmes.
“He was the youngest, but he was like a big brother. He was childish, playful. Every time he come in the room, he makes us laugh,” said Brianna Holmes.
They said something seemed off when Crooms was arrested, since he is friends with Holmes.
“We don’t want the wrong person to be convicted of something they didn’t do. We want the right person off the road because that could have been anyone else’s brother. You took somebody that was special to us, so it’s hard,” said Lexus Crooms.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement after Crooms release:
This development highlights our unwavering commitment to conducting thorough and fair investigations. The integrity of our investigative process is paramount, and we remain dedicated to transparency and accountability in all our operations. The investigation into the death of John Dennis Holmes III remains active. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is steadfast in its efforts to ensure justice is served and appreciates the community’s understanding and support during this process.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-760-5800 option 3 or to remain anonymous, contact Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867) and refer to case # 24A203879.