Michael Irving, a 33-year-old African American audio technician, was shot and killed outside Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in southeast Houston on February 27, 2015. He had volunteered at a Black History Month event and was waiting for a ride in the church parking lot when he was shot in the head. His cousin found him on the pavement next to his backpack and some sound equipment; robbery was ruled out because none of his possessions were taken.

Irving had recently pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft charges tied to a scheme that targeted elderly victims using a PayPal credit card processing machine. Sentencing was scheduled for May 18, 2015. Investigators concluded the killing was targeted, and one of his co-conspirators, Raymond Goffney, had also pleaded guilty to the same charges, but no arrests or suspects in the homicide were publicly identified and the motive remains unclear.

The church community described Irving as kind and conscientious, and his death shocked members. If anyone attended the event or was in the area that night and has information, please come forward.