Floyd Edison Nauls, Sr. was known as a kind, quiet, and generous man of God who was deeply committed to his community at Greater Jerusalem Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Remembered for his giving spirit, the 74-year-old African-American man was a beloved presence to his family and fellow congregants. Mr. Nauls also served his community professionally as the State Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Texas. His peaceful life was violently upended in the summer of 2008, beginning a months-long fight for survival that he would ultimately lose.
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 12, 2008, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Mr. Nauls returned to his home in the 6100 block of Great Oaks Drive in the Scenic Woods neighborhood of northeast Houston. Unbeknownst to him, one or more burglars were inside his residence. When he walked in, he surprised the intruders in the middle of their crime. One of the men shot Mr. Nauls, inflicting a critical wound. Despite being gravely injured, Mr. Nauls managed to call 911 for help as the suspects fled the scene.
Emergency responders arrived and transported Mr. Nauls to Ben Taub General Hospital. He was admitted and underwent surgery for the severe gunshot wound, after which he remained in the intensive care unit. For more than four months, he courageously fought to recover from the devastating injuries he sustained in the violent attack. His struggle ended on Sunday, October 26, 2008, when he succumbed to complications from the wound.
The Houston Police Department's Homicide Division launched an immediate investigation into the shooting. Sergeant R.D. Chandler and Officer L.K. Lovelace, the initial investigators on the case, determined that the burglars had entered Mr. Nauls's home and were confronted when he unexpectedly came home and interrupted them. In the early stages of the investigation, police had no description of any suspects and found no witnesses to the shooting itself. There were no signs of forced entry, leading detectives to consider the possibility that the perpetrators had some familiarity with the home or its resident.
Following Mr. Nauls's death, the case officially became a homicide investigation. Authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the person or people responsible for the fatal home invasion. Despite these efforts, the case grew cold, and no arrests have ever been announced. The identities of the individuals who broke into his home and took his life remain unknown.
Family and friends gathered to mourn Mr. Nauls at the end of October 2008. A visitation was held on October 31, followed by a funeral service on November 1 at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. He was laid to rest at Paradise North Cemetery in Houston. In his obituary, loved ones remembered him as a man who would always have a treasured place in their hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings. He was survived by his son, Floyd Jr., and a loving extended family who were comforted by the community's outpouring of support.
As of the latest available information, the murder of Floyd Nauls, Sr. remains unsolved and is considered a cold case. The Houston Police Department continues to seek new leads that could bring a resolution to his family. Anyone with information about the home invasion and shooting on Great Oaks Drive in June 2008 is urged to come forward. Tips can be directed to the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
