HOUSTON – A family is in shock after their loved one was killed, and they want to know why he was targeted.
Dameon Johnson, 36, was found dead on Peachtree near Weaver in northeast Houston on Tuesday morning.
Houston police said the father of two was fatally shot within a few minutes of leaving his home to head to work at an AutoZone, where he was a manager. He kissed his fiancé goodbye at 6:45 a.m. and 911 got a call about him at 7:01 a.m.., investigators said.
The call was originally reported as a wreck, but when officers got to the scene they found Johnson's body in a ditch on the other side of the street from his pickup truck, which was still running and not damaged.
"If someone could do this to Dameon, they can do this to anyone," Sgt. Warren Meeler said.
Police described Johnson as a low-risk victim. They said they don't know of anything that would make him a specific target.
"He was a good child … very loving," said Johnson's mother, Linda.
Detectives said they think something happened while Johnson was on the road – possibly a chase or confrontation. Officials said they found skid marks on a nearby street, but they don't know if that's related to the killing.
Johnson's family said they want answers and justice.
"If you're out there, we're asking and begging you to turn yourself in," said Johnson's father, Gerald. "Yes, we can forgive you, but also justice has to be done."
Anyone with information about the slaying is asked to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.