Arrest made in murder of 11-year-old Houston boy Josue Flores
HOUSTON -- There was a major development late last night in the Josue Flores murder invest. A suspect was arrested and charged with murder, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says they're confident they have the right person.
Mayor Turner, along with acting HPD Chief Martha Montalvo and Harris County DA Devon Anderson held a press conference this morning to discuss the case.
Eyewitness News was the first to tell you about the arrest of 27-year-old Andrew Jackson. Investigators say he's the man seen in video running near the scene where Flores was fatally stabbed back on May 17.
Flores was walking home from Marshall Middle School when he was attacked.
Jackson has now been charged with murder in the case. He was in the United States Marine Corps and was discharged in 2011, according to HPD.
We still do not have details as to what evidence led police to Jackson. What we do know is that both Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson and acting HPD Police Chief Martha Montalvo believe Jackson is who they have been looking for all this time.
Investigators were at a north side Salvation Army yesterday, collecting evidence a day after HPD released clear surveillance images of a man with unique shoes and jacket who could be seen on video running near the crime scene within minutes of Flores' murder.
"The community needs to be recognized," Montalvo said at a press conference alongside Mayor Turner. "They provided a lot of tips."
Mayor Turner said his office was working with law enforcement to help make the Northside community feel secure after weeks of uncertainty.
"It was senseless, it was brutal, it was cold blooded, and someone needs to pay the price for it," Turner says. "We do not want something like this to occur again in Northside or any area of Houston again."
Jackson is expected to appear in probable cause court later today, where we hope to learn more details in the case.
The DA's office says Jackson is eligible for five to life in prison. He is being held on $100,000 bond.
A $45,000 reward was being offered in the case.
