HOUSTON, Texas — A Houston father who was shot and killed outside a north Houston gas station while on his way to work was remembered during a candlelight vigil Saturday.
According to those who live near Sunny’s Express on Bauman Road, the sound of rapid gunfire was caught on another business’s surveillance camera and heard for blocks the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Houston police said a man and his nephew, now identified as Andrew Garza, 30, stopped for gas on their way to work around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video was published on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
At some point, an armed man approached Garza with an AR pistol.
That’s when the uncle produced his own firearm and both sides started shooting. Garza was fatally shot in the head while one of three suspects, two of whom were in a car, were also hit.
"Unfortunately, the uncle had to see his nephew die in front of him,” said HPD Det. Alexander Vinogradov.
A vigil was held for Garza at the gas station Saturday. He had just turned 30 in January.
HPD identified the three suspects as Christian Nicholas Barrera, 19, Travante Purvis, 22, and Fernando Aguilar Jr., 24. Police have not been able to provide a photo of Purvis. At last check, he is still hospitalized.
The three suspects are being charged with capital murder. Barrera is being held on a $2 million bond, according to court records.
As of Saturday evening, no bond has been set for the other two suspects.
The victims' pickup truck was struck numerous times.
It was a shocking sight for emotional family members who showed up as police processed the scene.
"The theory the uncle had is that they saw the cash the nephew was carrying," said Vinogradov. "And, again, these guys were just going to work, they were hard-working people up early in the morning, going to work, getting gas and this is what happens.”
People who live in the area said another deadly shooting happened outside the same gas station just a few months ago.
"It’s dangerous to walk the streets," said neighbor Lety Garrello. "You come to get gas and, before you know it, they’re shooting at you.”