A Texas teenager is behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing a man during an argument that began amid a fast-food run, according to the Houston Police Department. Jhoan Gomez, 19, stands accused of one count of murder over the death of 30-year-old Dreliene Washington, with Harris County court records confirming additional charges including evading arrest and carrying a handgun without a license.
Background
The fatal incident occurred just after 1 p.m. on Sept. 3 along Cottage Street in the Heights neighborhood of Houston. Officers responding to reports of a shooting discovered a gray Honda Civic crashed into the curb with Washington inside, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The violence was captured on video by a surveillance camera at a nearby gas station, according to court records obtained by the Houston Chronicle. The footage allegedly shows a lanky man with shaggy hair walking up to the driver’s side window of the Civic, speaking briefly with Washington before shooting him several times through the open window. After the barrage of bullets, the man was seen fleeing on foot.
The Investigation
Investigators identified Gomez through witness descriptions and a pair of black basketball shorts found at his residence during the execution of a search warrant. Later that same day, Gomez walked to a park in the neighborhood but fled when he spotted police cars, leading to his quick arrest.
During an interview the following day, Gomez initially claimed self-defense, but detectives stated his account did not align with the security footage. In a subsequent version of events, Gomez alleged that Washington nearly hit him in the Whataburger parking lot, leading to a verbal altercation. He claimed Washington then drove up, identified himself, and accused Gomez of beating up a friend. Gomez conceded that while he thought Washington might have reached for something, the victim did not appear to have a gun once the shooting concluded.
The most chilling detail emerged from interviews with the defendant’s mother, who told detectives she had taken Gomez and his brother to get wings for lunch. She stated she stopped at a gas station, and when she returned, Gomez was gone. She called him multiple times with no response until he contacted her out of breath roughly 30 minutes later. The family reunited at their home, where Gomez allegedly ate the wings his mother had bought, took a shower, and headed to a park to smoke, acting as if nothing had happened.
Key Takeaways
- Jhoan Gomez, 19, is charged with murder, evading arrest, and carrying a handgun without a license.
- The victim, 30-year-old Dreliene Washington, was shot multiple times through a car window in the Heights neighborhood of Houston.
- Surveillance video allegedly captured the shooting and Gomez fleeing on foot.
- Gomez reportedly returned home, ate chicken wings with his mother, and showered shortly after the alleged killing.
- Bail was set at $250,000, and Gomez is detained in the Harris County Jail.
What's Next
Jhoan Gomez remains detained in the Harris County Jail as he awaits his first court appearance. Prosecutors are expected to present the surveillance footage and witness testimony to a grand jury to determine whether a formal indictment will be issued. The defense has indicated they will continue to argue the self-defense claim, while the Houston Police Department investigates whether any other individuals were involved in the initial altercation at the Whataburger.