Nicholas Copeland, 27, was fatally shot in the torso at about 5 a.m. on February 1, 2016, inside a home on Rosemont Street in southeast Houston. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses say the shooter, identified as 48-year-old Patrick J. Denton, entered the residence where Nicholas and his partner Tina Carter were staying and shot them both. Tina Carter, 38, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and also died at the scene.

Denton has been charged with capital murder and fled after the shootings; investigators have been searching for him and asked the public for help locating him. Nicholas’s family describe him as charismatic, a sports and fishing enthusiast, and a devoted father to his young daughter Mariah. The killings have had a deep impact on family and community members.

Anyone who knew Nicholas or has information about Patrick J. Denton’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Houston Police Department.