HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed Monday in what Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is calling a "targeted" attack.
The shooting happened around 3 a.m. at an apartment on Alderson Street near Freeport Street.
The sheriff said the child, who the family identified as Carlos Fernandez, was sleeping in his bedroom with his two younger sisters, ages 6 and 7, when someone walked up to their bedroom window and fired shots. Fortunately, the boy's sisters were not hurt. Neither was his mom and another man who were also inside the apartment.
“It does appear to be a targeted act towards the apartment unit,” the sheriff said. “I want to make that clear from what it appears. It doesn’t seem like a drive-by situation where someone drove by indiscriminately.”
At least one bullet went through a wall and into Jim Simms' neighboring unit. He said he didn't know what happened until leaving for work and seeing an active crime scene outside.
“Well, my wife is saying she was in there watching television, okay – and the next thing you know, she heard some kind of popping sound," Simms said.
Investigators suspect the shooter left in a pickup truck. The description of the truck is unknown.
Why the boy's apartment unit was targeted is also unknown.
Carlos attended Galena Park ISD's Cobb Sixth Grade Campus. In a statement, the school extended its sympathy to Carlos' friends and family.
Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for burial costs. Click here if you'd like to donate.