A mother is searching for answers after her 21-year-old son was shot and killed outside a north Houston apartment complex overnight.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened just before midnight at the Mira Bella Apartments located on Imperial Valley Drive near Parramatta Lane.
Investigators have not released details about a suspect or what may have led up to the shooting.
The victim’s mother told KPRC 2 she believes her son was set up.
As families across the Houston area prepare for Memorial Day weekend gatherings, experts say holidays can sometimes create the perfect storm for conflicts to escalate into violence.
“You would be surprised at the uptick that we see around holidays,” said Dr. Conte Terrell, a domestic violence recovery expert.
Memorial Day weekend is often filled with cookouts, parties and family gatherings, but Dr. Terrell says high emotions, unresolved conflict, alcohol and even social media can quickly intensify tense situations.
“You have to be really careful, you have to be mindful holidays do not take away the same issues that you had prior to the holiday,” Terrell said.
Dr. Terrell says families can take simple steps to help prevent violence before it starts.
Memorial Day Family Violence Safety Tips
- No guns or weapons at the party
- Be careful what you post on social media
- Watch alcohol consumption closely
- Set a clear start and end time for gatherings
- Keep a guest list and know who’s attending
- End the party early if tensions rise
Last year, KPRC 2 reported on several shootings tied to the Memorial Day holiday, including a deadly shooting on FM 517 in Texas City.
Terrell says family violence is preventable if people pay attention to warning signs early and are willing to step in before tensions spiral out of control.
“Once something starts, it’s really kind of hard to go backwards,” Terrell said. “You want to do as much preparation to prevent as possible. And so a lot of times, being aware, not overlooking the red flags, not being intimidated or afraid to speak up, but be mindful that sometimes, many times, in these cases, you might want to call the law.”