HOUSTON – Dozens of people gathered Friday night to remember a mother of three and her boyfriend tragically killed in what appears to be a domestic violence dispute.
The incident happened at around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Gulf Coast Arms apartments in the 6300 block of Hirsch. Police say the alleged killer, Darren Mitchell, knocked on the door of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. When she opened it, they say Mitchell started shooting, killing 23-year-old Lakeisha Lewis and her current boyfriend, 24-year-old Johnel Francis.
Friday evening dozens of friends and family dressed in purple and released purple balloons into the night sky. Purple is the color for domestic violence awareness. “I’ve went through it a long time ago and I know what Lakeisha was going through,” said Yolanda Smith, a family friend.
“This is what she would have wanted,” said Paula Williams, Lakeisha’s mother. “She lived her life to the fullest and we're going to make sure she gets her homecoming to the fullest.”
Lakeisha was the mother to three young girls. Mitchell is their father. He turned himself into authorities on Tuesday night. He is now in jail on a $100,000 bond. His next court date is set for June 13.