HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man known for feeding homeless people and others in need was shot and killed Wednesday while police say he was giving food to a woman outside a motel on Houston’s west side.
The shooting happened at about 2:18 a.m. at the HomeTown Studios motel on Highway 6 near Westheimer Road, according to Houston police.
Police said the victim, a man in his 30s or 40s who also lived at the motel, was in an SUV feeding a woman when another man approached. Investigators believe the incident was an attempted carjacking.
A witness, Ashley Anokwuru, said she heard gunshots from her balcony.
“He was being carjacked, and unfortunately he was shot in the neck,” Anokwuru said.
Police said the victim tried to get away, crashing through two fences and into a field behind a neighboring hotel. He was shot and killed before he could escape.
Sgt. Josh Nielsen said the victim had been recovering and had turned his life around. He said the man wanted to give back to the community.
“He was recovering. He had turned his life back. He was doing pretty good and wanted to give back to the community,” Nielsen said.
Investigators said they believe a pistol was thrown from the vehicle as the suspect fled. Police had not recovered the weapon as of Wednesday afternoon.
Police detained a suspect in connection with the shooting. Police had not announced charges, and they had not said whether the victim and suspect knew each other.
Anokwuru said she was shocked that someone known for helping others was killed.
“Why would somebody want to kill him? Due to him being such a nice person,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate we lost somebody so nice due to unnecessary violence,” she said.
HPD says the suspect ran off, but officers caught up to him and took him into custody. Police said the suspect was taken to the hospital with some scrapes on his arms.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.