HOUSTON — Wednesday marked two years to the day since 5-year-old Khamaya Donelson was killed in a shooting in north Houston after a trip to an ice cream shop with her family.
Khamaya's 8-year-old brother, Khamani Rice, was also shot while the siblings sat in their mother's car along Northborough Drive -- near the intersection of Rankin Road and the North Freeway -- in the Greenspoint area just after midnight on July 3, 2022.
On Wednesday, the FBI reminded the public that there's a reward of up to $100,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for Khamaya's death. Investigators still don't have any leads as to who fired the shots that killed Khamaya and injured Khamani.
Thankfully, Khamani survived.
Khamani has since recovered from his physical wounds. In November last year, he spoke with the wisdom of someone who's dealt with far more than any child ever should.
"My sister's life mattered, in fact, everybody's life matters," Khamani said. "I want every kid out there to know their lives matter, too. Don't ever let anybody tell you your life doesn't matter."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI's Houston Field Office at 713-693-5000. You can also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Details on senseless shooting
Watters had just closed the restaurant where she worked and picked up her children at a 24-hour daycare center when she decided to treat the kids to ice cream on the way home.
They were at a stop sign when shots were fired from a silver, 4-door, 1999 Honda Accord as it sped by on Rushcreek Drive. One bullet struck Khamaya in the face and also injured Khamani.
Watters said her daughter died in the car before she could get her to the hospital.
Police said the gunman was in the Honda with three other males and he fired from the back driver's side. Detectives believe they were involved in a shootout with someone at a nearby food store and Khayama was caught in the crossfire.
Anyone with information is urged to call FBI Houston at 713-693-5000. You can also call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-8477.
'My baby was always happy'
A few days after her daughter's death, Watters said she was living her worst nightmare.
"I just want to hold my baby and play with her hair and tell her it's going to be OK," she told us. "And it's not going to be OK 'cause she is not going home with me."
She said Khamaya died in her son's lap.
RELATED: Reward increased to $50K for tips that lead to gunman who killed 5-year-old Khamaya Donelson
"I want my baby, but if I can't have my baby, I don’t want to happen to anyone else's baby," Watters said.
She remembered Khamaya as a happy girly girl who was "always full of joy."
"My baby was always happy. Loved dressing up, her accessories, she had to have at least 10 bracelets," the devastated mother said.
Watters has been supported by other parents who've lost children to gun violence, including the mother of Arlene Alvarez, the 9-year-old who was shot and killed while sitting in her family's car a few months before Khamaya.