HOUSTON – Police are searching for the gunman involved in a deadly shooting in northeast Houston.
Investigators said a man approached Micheal Yates Jr., 39, and two family members ages 19 and 9, just before 10:30 p.m. Sunday while they were fishing near Halls Bayou in the 7700 block of Bretshire. The man, who knew the 19-year-old from high school, began a casual conversation that lasted about five minutes before Yates said it was time to leave, police said. As the three were walking away, the man pulled out a gun and shot Yates for no known reason. He died at the scene, police said.
The 19-year-old man ran and the shooter chased him, police said. When the teen fell, the man pointed the gun and tried several times to shoot but the gun jammed, according to police. The teen ran to a nearby home for help.
"All he wanted to do was go fishing," said Shelia Yates Wilson, Yates' mother.
Yates Wilson said her son did not stand a chance.
Houston Police said the shooter approached Yates and the other two during their fishing trip.
“As my complainant got ready to come back and leave, my suspect just shot him for no apparent reason, didn’t say anything to him he just shot him," HPD Homicide investigator Latonia Bailey said.
FAMILY: Michael Yates Jr, 39, shot dead execution style while fishing in Halls Bayou. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/6Oa1fmeaVt
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) July 11, 2016
The shooter ran away before police arrived. Police describe the gunman as a young Hispanic male, around 18-19 years old, black hair, thin build and a long, puffy black ponytail.
Wilson Yates held back tears as she tried to accept her son's death.
"It's not about killing. It's about getting along with each other," she said.
Police are investigating the motive for the shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.