Reward jumps to $45,000 in Josue Flores murder case

HOUSTON – Crime Stoppers has increased the reward once again to help find the killer of an 11-year-old stabbing victim.

Crime Stoppers Executive Director, Rania Mankarious, said, "Someone, somewhere knows something — someone knows something. And if the thoughts of the last minutes of this young boy's life aren't enough, let the anonymity of Crime Stoppers help."

Representatives of the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the U-S Marshals joined Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D) of the 18th Congressional District. She said, "Those individuals if they're undocumented have the ability to be protected by a certain visa if they come forward now with provocative important and timely information regarding this heinous crime."

[VIDEO: Reward increase to $45,000 in Josue Flores murder case announcement]

Josue Flores was murdered, near Fulton and James as he walked home from Marshal Middle School. A reward of $45,000 is being offered to help police find any information that will lead them to the killer. 

This is the second reward increase in the case.

Last week, a knife was found in a storm drain by a woman walking near North Main and Henry, about seven blocks away from the murder scene where Josue was brutally stabbed.

Yolanda Arteaga, the woman who discovered the knife, said she looked down and spotted something shiny in the drain. It looked like a knife and Arteaga new she had to let the police know right away. 

"Like I told the officials," Arteaga said. "I'm not sure it's the knife that killed the kid but right now, any evidence is good to find the killer."

Police have not confirmed if the weapon is connected to the murder.

Authorities said the knife will be taken to the property room, where it will be processed for evidence that may or may not be on it.

Josue was laid to rest Tuesday.

Mayor Sylvester Turner held a press conference last Monday along with Houston police and the district attorney asking anyone with information on Josue's murder to come forward to help catch the killer.

Turner said crimes like these should not go unsolved in the community.

Turner has also authorized the Police Department to use all available resources to help solve this crime.

He's urging anyone who may know something to come forward and talk with police.

He also said that any information in this case could be the key piece of evidence they need to arrest the person responsible.

Information about Josue's death may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS or by sending a texting TIP610 plus the information to CRIMES. All tipsters may remain anonymous.