On March 1, 2018, 8-year-old Tristian Duthie Hutchins of Houston was struck in a drive-by shooting while sitting in his mother’s car outside a Third Ward nail salon with his 5-year-old sister, Kheristian. Tristian was shot in the head; he was kept on life support for weeks and died on March 28, 2018. Kheristian was shot in the leg, survived, and was later released from the hospital.

An 18-year-old, Devonte Lockett, was arrested on April 5, 2018, and charged with murder in connection with the shooting. That murder charge was dismissed in 2021 after an eyewitness recanted and because of Lockett’s conviction in another case. The Houston Police Department continues to investigate for other possible suspects.

Tristian’s death deeply affected his family and the local community and renewed calls for steps to reduce gun violence and protect children. If anyone has information about the shooting or other people involved, please contact the Houston Police Department.