Police Arrest Man Accused In Shooting Death Of 8-Year-Old Boy

HOUSTON, TX — Houston police have arrested Devonte Lockett, 18, who is charged with murder in the 337th State District Court for his role in the killing of Tristian Hutchins, 8.

Hutchins and his sister, 5-year-old Kheristian Hutchins, were shot in the parking lot at 3944 Scott Street at 7 p.m. on March 1 in the Third Ward. Both children were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Tristian was pronounced dead at the hospital on March 28. Kheristian was treated for her wounds and released.

Further investigation led to the identity of Lockett as the suspect in this case. He was taken into custody on Thursday (April 5) without incident and subsequently charged.

"Violence against our kids will not be tolerated. We will work overtime and spend whatever it takes to protect our children," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement late Thursday. "In this case I want to thank law enforcement and more importantly the community for providing the needed information that led to this arrest."

On the day after the shooting, Turner and HPD Executive Assistant Chief Matt Slinkard held a joint news conference at the parking lot where the incident occurred.

"In this city, we draw a red line," Turner said. "This is not the new norm in our city, and we won't let it get that way. We are taking people off the street who dare hurt our children."

Photo via Houston Police Department