LA PORTE, Texas — La Porte police are investigating after a high school student died from a drug overdose.
Christopher Flores, 17, was found unconscious on March 4 and was taken to an area hospital. He died on March 15, two days before what would have been his 18th birthday.
On his birthday, the community grieved his loss alongside his family with a balloon release. About 200 people showed up to remember the well-known and loved La Porte High School senior.
Christopher leaves behind a mom, a brother and lots of family members.
"We're a really big family so that's why we're all just trying to pull together and be strong for one another," Victoria Salas said.
Salas is Christopher's mother's cousin. She said his grandfather was a bodybuilder and Christopher was getting into fitness, boxing in particular. She said he was with an acquaintance when he OD'd.
"He was with an acquaintance from my understanding. And that's when my cousin got that devastating news," Salas said. "She's devastated. She lost her baby. That was her baby."
Police went to his house to deliver the news to his mother. Christopher spent 11 days in a coma at Texas Children's Hospital.
"It was a roller coaster of emotions. We were hopeful," Salas said. "Praying every single day at his feet. We were there, you know, talking to him, putting on praise and worship music, reading our Bibles, you know, standing strong in our faith."
Salas said they were in shock that one mistake cost him his life.
"He made one mistake, as we all do as teenagers. But he paid a heavy price for it. Instead of his cap and gown, ... she's getting his outfit ready for his funeral. That’s where we’re at," Salas said. "We feel cheated. We feel like, you know, you just wish you could rewind."
Now, Salas is speaking up about the dangers of fentanyl.
"Fentanyl is out there and it doesn't come looking like fentanyl," she said. "It's a real issue. It has no demographics. It doesn't care about your background. It doesn't care if you have good parents. It's there and it's a danger. And it's, it's taking kids."
Salas said there are a few things she'll miss most about Christopher.
"That goofiness, that loud voice. He was a joy ... when he saw you, the first thing he went in for was a hug," she said. "He wasn't shy. He was outgoing. You know, if you’d see him coming, you knew he's going to make you laugh."
The family wanted to share his funeral arrangements:
Visitation:
- Monday, March 25 at 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Fuente de Agua Viva
- 3335 Watters St.
- Pasadena, TX
Funeral:
- Tuesday at 11 a.m.
- Prayer at Fuente de Agua Viva
- Burial Forest Lawndale
Investigators said they're trying to find out where Christopher got the drugs. They also issued a warning.
"The La Porte Police Department reminds all that any consumption of illegal drugs is ill-advised. Fentanyl is being added to various types of illicit drugs more frequently, so residents should also consider the potential for increased risks with drug use, which frequently include serious physical injury and even death," the department said in a release.
"The drugs consumed were possibly laced with fentanyl," La Porte Police Department Lt. John Krueger said.
Krueger said they're looking for possible suspects who might have distributed the drugs. He said charges could be heightened after a new law went into effect last September that allows prosecutors to charge drug dealers with first-degree murder if their drugs kill.
"Now, you have a heightened possibility of charges that may occur because it's a death related to the possible fentanyl ingestion," Krueger said.
Anyone with information about the distribution of fentanyl is asked to call their local police department. La Porte residents are encouraged to call the non-emergency line at 281-471-2141.
La Porte ISD released the following statement:
"This tragedy has left many in our community deeply saddened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Flores during this unimaginably difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to them as they navigate through this profound loss, and we will continue to offer counseling services to his classmates, who are attempting to cope with their grief.
"At this time, we are waiting to hear from Mr. Flores' family about funeral services, which we will communicate to our community. In the meantime, we ask that our La Porte ISD Family keep the Flores Family in their thoughts and prayers."