HOUSTON – As police investigate the death of a teenager shot in the face in northwest Houston, the victim's family is making a public plea for help in the case.
According to police, Rikko Armando Valencia got off work at around 4:20 a.m. Sunday and was walking home. When he crossed the Spring Woods Baptist Church parking lot at 10131 Emnora, police said he was shot by an unknown suspect.
A groundskeeper arrived at the building around 7 a.m. and found Valencia lying in the parking lot.
HPD said Valencia, 19, was shot once in the face, but was not robbed. However police now believe it was a robbery attempt.
"Rikko Valencia was so amazing, he was so innocent he wouldn't have hurt anyone, he would've helped anyone and he would've given anyone anything they needed," said his mother, Penny Valencia. "They didn't have to kill my baby."
Investigators said witnesses saw a dark-colored pickup truck in the area.
Police are investigating other similar crimes in the area to see if they may be connected.
"We don't want anyone else to go through this tragedy. Please call if you know anything," said Penny Valencia.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.