James Weldon Ecford, 25, was fatally shot on April 11, 2016, in Houston while defending his mother during an attempted armed robbery at the Sands Point Condominiums. The suspect fired a second shot at James’s mother but did not hit her. The shooter then fled in a vehicle with three others inside.

James was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. The Houston Police Department is investigating and has urged anyone with information to come forward. Family and community members held a vigil and described James as a hero; a reward has been offered for tips. If anyone has information about that night or the people who fled in the vehicle, please share what you know with investigators.