HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said information from automated license plate readers helped authorities identify and capture the man accused of opening fire on a vehicle with a mother and five children inside, killing a 5-year-old girl over the weekend.
Jeremy Porter, 47, was arrested Sunday and is charged with capital murder for the shooting which led to 5-year-old Zah’layah Walter’s death.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said detectives were able to identify and arrest Porter within 24 hours of the shooting from evidence which included information from automated license plate readers.
Monica Hicks was driving with her five children on Saturday night when someone fired bullets into her vehicle, killing her precious 5–year-old daughter, Zah’layah Walter.
Our detectives followed the evidence, which included information from automated license plate readers, and… pic.twitter.com/9ntR8c3yEd
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 21, 2026
Gonzalez contrasted this case to another case from 2018 where 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes was struck by gunfire from another vehicle while riding in a car with her mother.
“That was before we had today’s network of automated license plate readers. Jazmine’s case required an intense, around-the-clock investigation, with detectives pursuing lead after lead until a critical tip helped break the case about a week later,” Gonzalez said. “Sadly, other families who have lost loved ones to roadway violence are still waiting for answers. Technology cannot replace good police work, but tools like license plate readers can give investigators valuable information when every minute matters.”
Gonzalez continues by stating with Flock camera technology comes the need for safeguards and responsibility.
“Powerful technology must be used judiciously, with appropriate safeguards and accountability, if we are to maintain the public’s trust,” he said. “We owe that to our community. And we owe it to children like Jazmine and now Zah’layah to use every lawful and responsible tool available to identify those responsible for violence and bring them to justice.”
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