This is tragic, as well as stupid.
Link Removed
HOUSTON -- Police said the weekend death of a teenage girl that was originally blamed on a drive-by shooting has led back to the victim's boyfriend, Local 2 Investigates reported.
Police were first told that a mysterious drive-by shooter had opened fire, killing 16-year-old Waddieonne Griffin on Alvin Street in the Sunnyside neighborhood of southeast Houston early Saturday. Her friends called her by the nickname of "Yanni."
But HPD homicide Officer Fil Waters said, "It was clear that the story that was concocted to explain why Yanni was shot was just full of holes. The inconsistencies were pretty glaring."
He said witnesses contradicted what Griffin's boyfriend and other witnesses had told police, and then teenagers were questioned again and they began telling the truth.
Waters said Griffin's 16-year-old boyfriend, Donald James, was handling a gun in his family's driveway when Griffin raised concerns about the gun.
"She was going to put it in her purse before somebody got hurt, which is ironic off the chart. But he was going to give her the gun, he was trying to de-cock the weapon and did not, obviously. The weapon discharged and hit Yanni," said Waters.
"I never did want her with him," said the victim's mother, Linda Griffin.
"She was a beautiful person and she loved everybody. She would do anything she could for people, and she loved to do hair," said the mother.
Police had not yet recovered the gun that was used in the shooting, with Waters saying, "Typically these things quickly disappear."
He said James began cooperating once the truth was discovered. "He eventually told us what happened. He's completely overcome with emotion and grief-stricken," said Waters.
Police said James will face juvenile criminal charges of negligent homicide.
Griffin's mother and friends said they had always raised concerns about her dating James.
"She liked him a lot. I couldn't do nothing about that. I couldn't tell nobody who not to love," said her best friend, Ironesha Williams.
"We did everything together. She never went anywhere without me," said Williams as she wiped away tears from both eyes.
Family and friends gathered at Griffin's home Sunday night as police delivered a letter they urged James to write about what really happened.
Waters said, "It's a perfect example of kids handling a firearm irresponsibly and having the most tragic of unintended consequences."
Police said no other charges were expected.
Link Removed
HOUSTON -- Police said the weekend death of a teenage girl that was originally blamed on a drive-by shooting has led back to the victim's boyfriend, Local 2 Investigates reported.
Police were first told that a mysterious drive-by shooter had opened fire, killing 16-year-old Waddieonne Griffin on Alvin Street in the Sunnyside neighborhood of southeast Houston early Saturday. Her friends called her by the nickname of "Yanni."
But HPD homicide Officer Fil Waters said, "It was clear that the story that was concocted to explain why Yanni was shot was just full of holes. The inconsistencies were pretty glaring."
He said witnesses contradicted what Griffin's boyfriend and other witnesses had told police, and then teenagers were questioned again and they began telling the truth.
Waters said Griffin's 16-year-old boyfriend, Donald James, was handling a gun in his family's driveway when Griffin raised concerns about the gun.
"She was going to put it in her purse before somebody got hurt, which is ironic off the chart. But he was going to give her the gun, he was trying to de-cock the weapon and did not, obviously. The weapon discharged and hit Yanni," said Waters.
"I never did want her with him," said the victim's mother, Linda Griffin.
"She was a beautiful person and she loved everybody. She would do anything she could for people, and she loved to do hair," said the mother.
Police had not yet recovered the gun that was used in the shooting, with Waters saying, "Typically these things quickly disappear."
He said James began cooperating once the truth was discovered. "He eventually told us what happened. He's completely overcome with emotion and grief-stricken," said Waters.
Police said James will face juvenile criminal charges of negligent homicide.
Griffin's mother and friends said they had always raised concerns about her dating James.
"She liked him a lot. I couldn't do nothing about that. I couldn't tell nobody who not to love," said her best friend, Ironesha Williams.
"We did everything together. She never went anywhere without me," said Williams as she wiped away tears from both eyes.
Family and friends gathered at Griffin's home Sunday night as police delivered a letter they urged James to write about what really happened.
Waters said, "It's a perfect example of kids handling a firearm irresponsibly and having the most tragic of unintended consequences."
Police said no other charges were expected.
