11-year-old boy killed by stray bullet while Texas man fled from owner of car he'd robbed, cops say

An 11-year-old was killed by a stray bullet, and police say they arrested the man who pulled the trigger.

Deputies with the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable's Office went to an apartment complex around 6:50 p.m. on Feb. 3 for the reported shooting. There, first responders found 11-year-old Darius “DJ” Dugas shot. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

DJ’s mother, Brenetta Francis, told Click2Houston.com, the family arrived home shortly after 6 p.m., and DJ realized he left his jacket and a few other items in the car. A minute or so later, they heard gunshots. Her oldest son ran downstairs and found his little brother lifeless.

“He was loved. He was loved,” Francis told KHOU 11 News at a vigil for her son.

“So that’s why I have my moments but I try to stay strong because when he was here, he was happy and he just left a positive impact on people.”

On Feb. 18, the Harris County Sheriff's Office announced an arrest in connection to the shooting. The arrest happened the same day as the victim's funeral.

Daveyonne Howard, 19, was on bond for aggravated robbery at the time of the shooting, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He was being held in jail on unrelated charges when charged with murder.

Investigators said Howard was breaking into cars in a nearby apartment complex. A person caught him in the act and Howard fled. The witness chased him to get his property back, and that is when Howard opened fire. A stray bullet hit Dugas.

Howard is being held in jail without bond.