Officials hunt for suspects after man burned and left in pickup truck

HOUSTON – Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division are asking for the public's help in finding the people responsible for killing and burning a man in southeast Houston in March.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to charges or arrests in connection with the death of Tony Iwu.  

Police arrested Mercedes McDonald in connection with Iwu's death. Dominic Wright is wanted in connection with the killing, and Jason Demond Gates, 35, is wanted for capital murder, police said. Both men are on the run, according to investigators. 

Firefighters were called around 11:45 p.m. March 6 to the 5000 block of South Acres Drive for a report of a fire.

They arrived and found a pickup engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire quickly and found Iwu's body badly burned lying in the bed of the truck.

Officials said he appeared to have been killed before he was set on fire and left in the bed of the truck. 

Police describe Gates as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches, 200 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He has tattoos on his arms, neck and face and has has a large growth on his forehead.

Wright is described as 5 feet 11 inches, 190 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Gates and Wright is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.