Nearly a month after 18-year-old Emmanuel Menchaca was shot outside his family’s home, his relatives said they are still living in fear and waiting for justice.
The Menchaca family and community advocates held a press conference Monday, demanding action from the Houston Police Department.
The family is calling for the arrest of their neighbor, John Martin Dixon, who has been charged with aggravated assault but has not been taken into custody.
Community leader Cesar Espinosa of FIEL Houston joined the family in criticizing the lack of transparency.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on July 17. Emmanuel had just returned home from work when he went to bury his pet guinea pig, Cookie, on the side of the house. Dixon allegedly opened fire on him and his 12-year-old brother near their home.
BACKGROUND: Teen shot while burying pet guinea pig fights for life in ICU, family pleads for justice
The teenager spent 17 days in the hospital with severe damage to his lung, liver, and diaphragm. He should have started college this fall but instead faces daily pain, insomnia, and fear.
“Just because my son’s alive, it doesn’t mean go about your day,” Andrea Menchaca, Emmanuel’s mother said. “It’s still a long journey, a long road recovery for him. I’ve had to go back to work, but mentally, I’m not there.”
In the press conference, the family claimed HPD failed to detain Dixon on the night of the shooting, contributing to him remaining at large.
READ MORE: Family of teen shot while burying pet guinea pig speaks out, demands justice