Classmates of slain girl return to school for first time since her death

HOUSTON – Monday was the first day that classmates of 8-year-old De’Maree Adkins went to school without her.

Police said De’Maree was riding in the back seat of a car being driven by her mother, Latoyia Thomas, about 2 a.m. Saturday when the vehicle was involved in a crash at the intersection of West Fuqua Street and Sam Houston Parkway.

Investigators said a white Pontiac Grand Prix and a dark four-door sedan were speeding down West Fuqua Street, when the Pontiac slammed into Thomas’ vehicle.

Thomas said that after the crash, the driver of the Pontiac jumped into the dark sedan. She said the dark sedan pulled up next to her car, an armed woman rolled down a window, leaned out and began shooting at Thomas’ car.

De’Maree was hit and killed.

Parents at MacGregor Elementary School seemed to hold their kids little tighter Monday as the classmates of De’Maree arrived.

“It made me think like it could have been Hayden (Frazier),” said India Henry, referencing her own daughter. “It could have been any child for that matter.”

Hayden said she was close to De’Maree.

“She was smart,” Hayden said. “She was kind. She always wanted to make new friends.”

“She was a bright little girl,” said Henry Maddox, another classmate of De’Maree. “(She) always used to talk to everybody. She had the highest pitched voice that always made me laugh.”

Police are still looking for the person who killed De’Maree. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office is contributing $10,000 to the $5,000 Crime Stoppers award to solve the case.

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