HOUSTON – Three separate shootings involving Houston-area teenagers have left three young people dead — and in each case, a teenage suspect is now facing a murder charge.
The cases are unrelated, but the victims’ families are now dealing with similar losses as investigators work to determine what led to each shooting.
Westbury High School senior killed
The newest case involves 17-year-old Westbury High School senior and student-athlete LePaul Warren.
Warren was shot Friday morning before school on a dead-end road near the campus known as “The Trail,” an area where students commonly gather before and after school.
Houston police have charged 17-year-old Travoris Jarrell Hines with murder in Warren’s death. Hines is also charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Hines was arrested Friday evening while walking along Hillcroft Avenue. Police said he had a gun when he was arrested, but investigators have not confirmed whether that weapon was used in Warren’s shooting.
Investigators say witnesses, surveillance video, phone data and a photo lineup helped identify Hines.
Hines is expected to appear in probable cause court, where judge can determine whether there is probable cause to hold him and address bond.
Police have not confirmed whether Hines and Warren knew each other before the shooting, and a motive has not been released.
Warren was a standout in both football and basketball. His death led Westbury High School to cancel its homecoming football game.
Friends remembered Warren as someone who brought energy and encouragement to those around him.
“LePaul, he always made me laugh,” friend Benjamin Rodriguez said while remembering Warren.
Westfield High School student killed days earlier
Just days before Warren’s death, another Houston-area teenager was killed in a shooting near a high school.
Fifteen-year-old Royce Witchet was shot and killed Tuesday just after school was dismissed.
The shooting happened along a sidewalk near Westfield High School and the Spring ISD administration building.
A 14-year-old Spring ISD student has been charged with murder in Witchet’s death.
Witchet’s family gathered Friday for a memorial, releasing balloons in his honor at about the same time he was pronounced dead.
Family members said Witchet was shot multiple times in the back.
They also called for increased security around the school, saying they believe a stronger police presence could have prevented the shooting.
At the memorial, one family member spoke about the repeated loss of young lives to gun violence.
“We’re doing this too many times,” the family member said. “We’re doing this too many times young people.”
17-year-old found dead inside vehicle
The third case happened in August and is unrelated to the two school-area shootings.
On August 22, Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 12,800 block of Montclair Bend after receiving a report of an injured person inside a vehicle.
Deputies found 17-year-old Tavian Soileau dead inside the vehicle.
Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives and crime scene investigators conducted the initial investigation and follow-up work.
This week, a 14-year-old was arrested and transported to the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center.
The juvenile has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in Soileau’s death.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or a possible motive.
Officials respond to violence involving teens
The three cases have also prompted concern from local officials about young people and gun violence.
Following the Westbury shooting, Houston Mayor John Whitmire addressed the violence during a news conference, saying he was upset that confrontations were escalating into gunfire.
“We know the Westfield happened this week,” Whitmire said, “I’m angry that confrontations are leading to violence,” referring to the earlier shooting involving Witchet.
While the three cases are not connected, they have occurred within a relatively short period and involve teenage victims and teenage suspects.
For the families and friends of Warren, Witchet and Soileau, the investigations now continue alongside the process of grieving three young lives lost to gun violence.
