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Houston man held on $5 million bond in neighbor’s murder after community petitions with 500+ signatures

Christopher Braziel, 42 (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

A Houston man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor is now held on a $5 million bond after more than 500 local residents signed a petition requesting he be denied bail.

Christopher Braziel, who reportedly did not know Heather Smith personally but lived in her northwest Harris County neighborhood, is charged with capital murder following the October break-in and shooting.

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The $5 million bond was set due to Braziel’s history of troubling behavior in the neighborhood, including alleged incidents where he reportedly pointed firearms at other residents’ homes.

In response to these past actions and Smith’s death, neighbors gathered over 500 signatures, urging authorities to keep Braziel from returning to the community.

If he posts bond, Braziel will be required to wear a GPS monitor. Braziel’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2025.

KPRC 2′s Corley Peel will have more on this story at 5 and 6 p.m.

READ MORE: Bail denied for suspect accused of killing 21-year-old Nepali student studying nursing in Houston

What happened?

Smith’s boyfriend discovered her in her home with multiple gunshot wounds after she hadn’t responded to calls or messages.

The front door had been forced open, and nearby surveillance footage reportedly captured Braziel’s vehicle and his movements outside Smith’s home on the day of the incident.

Police say additional footage shows him holding a firearm with an extended magazine as he paced near her door, later re-entering the home multiple times.


About the Authors
Holly Galvan Posey headshot

Holly joined the KPRC 2 digital team in March 2024, leveraging her eight years of expertise in blogging and digital content to share her passion for Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city's vibrant scenes, all while balancing her roles as a wife and mother to two toddlers.

Corley Peel headshot

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.

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