HOUSTON A man was found shot to death in his front yard early Sunday in southeast Houston, police said.
The gun went off, I heard it like four times, said Rose Rodriguez, the victim s mother. I got up and went to the living room. He wasn t there.
Rose was looking for her 36-year-old son Joe Angel Rodriguez. She found him in the front yard shot four times. Her other son was on his knees trying to administer CPR.
He says they shot Joe, they shot Joe! , and I m like what? said Rodriguez.
According to the Houston Police Department, it happened around 3 a.m. in 8000 block of Howard Drive near Arizona Street. Rodriguez died at the scene.
I just came and laid with him and told him Mijo, please don t leave me, please don t leave me, but I think he was already gone by then, said Rodriguez.
In the morning, newspaper covered the spot where the victim died. Neighbors dropped off candles, flowers and a photo of the victim for a tiny makeshift memorial outside the home where friends and family are grieving.
It s horrible, the worst feeling ever, said Rodriguez.
What s worse, the family doesn t know who killed the victim, or more importantly, why? Police have little clues to work with.
I think we deserve to know why they would do that, said Julie Rodriguez, the victim s sister.
So while the family waits for answers, friends are cooking up and selling food, raising whatever money they can for a funeral they didn t expect to plan.
He was the baby for all of us, said Julie Rodriguez.
More than money tough, the Rodriguez family is asking for tips, anything that will help find the killer that took Joe Rodriguez far too soon.
The shooting suspect was seen fleeing the area. Investigators say witnesses describe him as a Hispanic male. Call HPD Homicide or Crime Stoppers with any information.
