Girl, 3, Killed In Carjacking Attempt In Houston

[Whisper]

Theres no names or anything yet.Hopefully soon.
Police Release Descriptions Of 2 Wanted Men
HOUSTON --

Police have released descriptions of two men involved in an attempted carjacking in which a 3-year-old girlHouston police said the attempted carjacking happened at the Live Oak Bend Apartments on Greens Parkway near Ella Boulevard about 2 p.m. Sunday.

Investigators said a family of four was in their car when a man approached with a semiautomatic weapon and demanded the keys.

The father told police he first thought it was a joke. He then said to the man, "Let me get my family out of the car."

Seconds later, shots were fired and the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Charissa Powell, was shot in the chest, detectives said.
Neighbors saw what happened next.

"I saw her mom grab her and said, 'Oh, my baby's shot,'" a witness who did not wish to be identified said. "It's just, my heart goes out to her and, oh my God, I know how she feels. It's just terrible."

Police said the suspect left without the family's car.

The parents tried driving to a hospital and flagged down a deputy along the way at Beltway 8 near Veterans Memorial Drive. Charissa was taken to Willowbrook Methodist Hospital, where she died.

Investigators said the victim's 1-year-old brother was also hurt by bullet fragments and was transported to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. His condition was not released, but officials said his injuries were not life-threatening.

A person of interest was questioned Sunday night, police said.

Detectives are looking for two men in connection with the killing. Both are black and in their mid-20s. The shooter was described as 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall and 140 to 160 pounds with a dark complexion and matted, bushy hair. He was armed with an AK-47, officials said. The other man is 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and 200 to 220 pounds with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts and a black cap.

Police are also looking for two vehicles used in the killing. One was described as a blue, silver or white 1995 or 1996 Buick LeSabre. The second was described as a 1996 or 1997 burgundy Ford Taurus.
[...]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/22906143/detail.html

[koochie]

how heartbreaking, my prayers go out to that family...i cannot imagine how hard that must be

[Pete Bondurant]

Detectives are looking for two men in connection with the killing. Both are black and in their mid-20s.

Utterly shocking........

[MadeaBecBec]

Charissa Powell, Three years old

Dear GOD!!!

[Whisper]

Arrest Made In Carjacking Killing
HOUSTON -- An arrest has been made in an attempted carjacking that resulted in a 3-year-old girl's death, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
[...]
Houston police have not released the name of the person arrested, the charges against him or how he is connected to the incident. He was arrested late Tuesday, officials said.
[...]
Investigators said a family of four was in their car when a man approached with an AK-47and demanded the keys.

Seconds later, shots were fired and the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Charissa Powell, was shot in the chest, detectives said. Charissa was taken to Willowbrook Methodist Hospital, where she died.

Investigators said the victim's 1-year-old brother was also hurt by bullet fragments. Officials said his injuries were not life-threatening.

On Tuesday, police released a sketch of the shooter. Investigators have not said if that was the person arrested.
[...]

Detectives were looking for two men in connection with the killing. Police have not said which one, if either, has been arrested. Both are black and in their mid-20s.

The shooter was described as in his late teens or early 20s, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall and 140 to 160 pounds with a dark complexion and matted, bushy hair. He was armed with an AK-47 and wearing a white T-shirt and shorts, officials said.

The second man is in his mid-20s, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and 200 to 220 pounds with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts and a black cap.

Police are also looking for two vehicles used in the killing. One was described as a blue, silver or white 1995 or 1996 Buick LeSabre. The second was described as a 1996 or 1997 burgundy Ford Taurus.

More arrests were expected to be made soon, police said.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/22929993/detail.html

[Silvahalo]

Oh, my lord, this baby was shot with an AK-47!? I hope this worthless pieceofshit is found and killed, preferably in the same manner. This fucker didn't have to shoot anyone sounds like the father was trying to get his family out of the car....I seriously hope this baby killer dies.

My most heartfelt sympathies to the family, I cannot imagine such a terrible loss, and terrifying incident. What a sweet, beautiful child.....

[Whisper]

Yeah Im glad they got 1 person so far hopefully the rest.
Absolutely no reason for what they did I hope they suffer

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Alton Charles Barnes, 24, is in police custody, charged with killing Charissa Powell, Houston police said this evening.
[...]
Police have been questioning Barnes, as well as his 22-year-old brother, in the shooting. His brother was released this evening. He has not been charged.

Community activist Quanell X, who helped convince the brothers to surrender, said a third suspect, the brothers' cousin, told family members that he will not be taken alive by police.

The brothers' family reached out to Quanell X through a mutual friend, seeking help, when it became apparent police were looking for them.
[...]

Barnes surrendered at the Houston Police Department's Greenspoint substation late Tuesday night.

The younger brother met with Quanell X in person today and told the activist he was not involved in the crime, but agreed to go talk to police since investigators were looking for him, Quanell X said. He surrendered to the Houston Police Department homicide division around 3 p.m.

The younger sibling “assured me that he was not the triggerman — he assured me that he had no idea that his brother and cousin were about to commit the crime they were going to commit,” Quanell X said. “He had an idea they were going to do something, but he was not actually sure what they were going to do.”

He told Quanell X he had given his brother and cousin a jack that could be used to remove the tire rims from a car, but said he was not present when the shooting and attempted carjacking occurred.

When the younger sibling learned police were looking for a blue Buick LeSabre — like the one driven by his brother — and a burgundy Ford Taurus like his own car, “then he was really petrified,” Quanell X said.

“Based on what he had seen on the news, based on the description of the cars, based on how his brother had a great sense of urgency for him to bring his cousin to come and meet with him, he was able to put two and two together to know, ‘Obviously, I think my brother's involved with this,'” Quanell X said.
[..]
The brothers' cousin is still being sought by police. He told family “they'll have to take him in dead, because he's not coming in alive,” Quanell X said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/6927894.html

Clayton Surry

Clayton Edward Surry, 22, joined by community activist Quanell X, met with homicide detectives on Wednesday afternoon. He was wanted in connection with the shooting death of young Charissa Powell. Surry was later released after answering questions from police.
[...]
Surry told FOX 26 News that he only dropped off his cousin and left. He says police think that he had a role in the incident that has already landed his older brother Alton Barnes in jail.

Investigators would not say if Surry would be charged.

Video at link: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news...ders-to-police

[Gidget]

The brothers' cousin is still being sought by police. He told family “they'll have to take him in dead, because he's not coming in alive,” Quanell X said.

And I'm sure that there are a lot of people who would be happy to oblige. What a fucking waste, there was no reason for him to shoot that little girl. No reason at all.

[Sister Iroz]

HOUSTON—A man facing capital murder charges in the shooting death of a 3-year-old Houston girl was denied bond Thursday.

Alton Barnes appeared in detention court overnight.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Bond-...-89114847.html

[Whisper]

Second suspect now in custody in fatal carjacking
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are new developments in the shooting death of a three-year-old girl during an attempted carjacking. We've learned the second man wanted in the case has turned himself in to police.

Pressure from police was reportedly a factor in Jonathan Hunter turning himself in last night. Houston police say Hunter went to police headquarters with a local minister. Authorities say he's being questioned today, but no charges are being filed.

However, capital murder charges have been filed against Alton Barnes, who turned himself in earlier this week. Barnes was in court this morning for probable cause and has been assigned an attorney. He told the judge in open court, 'It wasn't me, your honor.'

Both Barnes and Hunter are suspected in the Sunday shooting death of three-year-old Charissa Powell. The girl was murdered as she sat in the back seat of her father's car. Her one-year-old brother was wounded. Powell's father was trying to get his kids out of the car as Barnes allegedly was trying to steal the vehicle.

Barnes' court-appointed attorney says he's looking into how Barnes was identified in this case.

"I understand there was a photo identification and we'll look at that more closely in the coming months, and try to determine what evidence, if any, there is," said attorney Anthony Osso.
[...]
"If I would have known something like that was going to happen, my daughter and my son would have never been outside," said Charissa's father, Charles Powell.
[...]
"He shot her in the process of trying to shoot me, to rob me for some 'swangers,'" said Charles.

On Thursday night, Powell's friends tried to raise money for the Powell family who suddenly have to pay for a three-year-old girl's funeral, and hospital bills for a one-year-old boy injured by the bullets.

The sign held up by Dexter Wyble is a simple, hand-lettered one that read, 'Baby Charissa Donations.' Wyble and other friends of Powell's family spent Thursday night soliciting donations, standing on the corner of Mesa and Rinn in northeast Houston. It's an act of love they say, for a longtime friend who's hurting.

"I don't know how it is to lose a loved one, but when this happened it really touched home because you know I grew up with him," said Wyble.

Dollar bill by dollar bill, the donations added up

"I just came to donate money, make sure the family is OK," said one man.

But Charles Powell says he and his family and angry and hurting.

"There wouldn't be no words. Know what I'm saying? And I'm just going to leave it at that," said Charles.
[...]

If you have any information on Hunter's whereabouts, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
[...]

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?se...cal&id=7349720

[Sister Iroz]

Johnathan B. Hunter, 19, in the fatal shooting of 3-year-old Charissa Powell. Hunter also also goes by Johnathan Barnes

On Saturday, March 27, 39 News learned that Johnathan Hunter has been charged with capital murder, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, March 29. Houston police are searching for a third man in the case.

http://www.39online.com/news/local/k...,1022680.story

Now, this is the only site that said he was charged, all the others said he wasn't.

[Whisper]

Toddler shot in attempted carjacking remembered as 'loving, beautiful little baby'

HOUSTON -- Friends and relatives filled an east Houston church Saturday to say goodbye to Charissa Powell, a 3-year-old girl who was shot and killed last Sunday during an attempted carjacking.

It happened in the parking lot of her family’s apartment complex.

“She was just a fun loving, just a beautiful little baby,” said Powell’s cousin Monique Washington.

The 3-year-old, whose bubbly personality was contagious, was always at the center of attention and Saturday was no different. However, the group that gathered at New Bethel Church of God and Christ wished it didn’t have to come together at a funeral.
[...]

Some attended the funeral wearing T-shirts with the words “little angels depart too soon” printed on them.

“Charissa is with God. She is in a better place and we are going to keep our heads strong,” said her cousin Antonio Bruno. “Truthfully, I can’t tell you how I feel, because I have so many emotions going on inside.”

Two men are behind bars in connection with this case. Alton Barnes is charged with capital murder. A judge denied bond.

Barnes’ cousin, Johnathan Hunter, was wanted for questioning. He turned himself in Thursday. Police said no charges have been filed against him.

[...]

http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Frien...-89326277.html