KHOU 11 spoke exclusively with one of the victim’s sons who described him as helpful to others despite his own struggles.
HOUSTON, Texas — Two days after his father was fatally shot while sitting in his SUV that careened through two fences, one of 58-year-old John Donat’s sons spoke about the man who he said was always willing to help others despite his own struggles.
“He is a very helpful person,” said Nick Donat. “He’s been doing this a lot over the past couple of years.”
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Like Houston Police, Donat said his dad, who was a former chef, would routinely feed those in need outside the extended stay hotel where he lived. That’s especially true for those who had drug issues like he once did.
“He just cooks a bunch of food that he got from the local food bank on Westheimer and cooked whatever he could,” said Donat.
According to police, Donat was giving a woman food overnight Wednesday when a gunman demanded money from the passenger-side window before shooting Donat. Initially identified as a person of interest, 30-year-old Otis Parks is now charged with capital murder. It’s unclear if a weapon possibly thrown into a field where we saw an ATF K-9 searching was ever recovered.
“I mean, that person did a terrible thing to someone I love and trust and depend on,” said Donat.
Donat was originally from Ohio and moved to Texas about 10 years ago. His son said he was preparing to relocate closer to family in South Carolina at the time of his death. It’s move he’ll never make.
“It’s just a shame,” said Donat.
Suspect Otis Parks does have a criminal history, which includes a 2018 conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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