Houston man receives 40-year sentence for fatal shooting of 11-year-old

A Houston man, Daveyonne Howard, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of an 11-year-old boy, Darius "DJ" Dugas. The incident occurred during a winter storm on February 3, 2022, at an apartment complex in northeast Harris County. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the sentencing.

"Our hearts go out to the family because there is absolutely no reason that a little boy should lose his life by just stepping outside of his home," Ogg stated. She emphasized the senselessness of gun violence and its impact on innocent lives.

The events unfolded when Howard was seen breaking into a car and stealing a wallet. As he attempted to flee, he fired a pistol at the car's owner who was pursuing him. Tragically, DJ was caught in the crossfire and fatally shot in the chest while retrieving his jacket from his family's car.

Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, but DJ succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Howard was arrested days later and charged with murder. He pleaded guilty earlier this year and received his sentence following a punishment hearing.

Assistant District Attorneys Brett Batchelor and Carina Batista prosecuted Howard's case. Batista remarked on Howard's actions before the shooting: "Before the shooting, this defendant was out burglarizing vehicles, so we thought a lengthy sentence was appropriate and justice was done." She highlighted how DJ became an unintended victim amid reckless gunfire near a playground.

Batchelor also commented on the broader implications of gun violence: "Crimes like this are why we want to stop gun violence," he said. He lamented that DJ lost his life while performing an ordinary task—retrieving his jacket—and expressed sympathy for DJ's family.

Howard will be required to serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.