Teen charged with murder in deadly shooting of 15-year-old outside southwest Houston gas station

HOUSTON – A teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Kenneth Payne outside a southwest Houston gas station, police announced.

The shooting happened around 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 19 at a Circle K in the 5300 block of North Braeswood Boulevard.

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Police said two groups got into a fight at the gas station. As the groups were leaving, someone opened fire on the vehicle Payne was in, hitting him in the chest. He was taken to a hospital but later died.

The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Braelin James, is charged with murder in the 337th Criminal District Court. Police said James was first arrested by the Southwest Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team on unrelated charges on Wednesday (Oct. 1) before being charged in connection with the deadly shooting.

Investigators said they believe James was the shooter. A firearm was not recovered at the scene.