HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — An arrest has been made in connection with the death of Darius 'DJ' Dugas, the 11-year-old who was gunned down outside of his apartment complex earlier this month.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the suspect, who has been identified as Daveyonne Howard, was already in the Harris County Jail on an unrelated charge.
The sheriff said Howard has an extensive criminal record. He was out on bond for aggravated robbery at the time of the murder.
Gonzalez said their investigation revealed that just prior to Darius’ murder, Howard was in another complex breaking into vehicles. He was caught in the act of breaking into a car and chased to the complex located in the 12200 block of Tidwell.
Howard began shooting at the owner of the vehicle, who was chasing him to recover his stolen property, the sheriff said. Howard is accused of shooting Darius when he opened fire.
Investigators said Darius was outside getting something from a car when he was shot and killed.
Suspect arrested the day of Darius' funeral
The suspect just so happened to be arrested on the same day Darius was laid to rest at the Fellowship of Purpose Church.
Darius' family said when they received the news, it brought them a little bit of closure.
"Just want the world to know, any man, whatever you do, it's going to come back on you," said Harold Hubbard's, Darius' grandfather. "He's got a hard life ahead of him."
"I hope he gets everything he deserves because DJ didn't deserve this," said David Denton who coached Darius in little league basketball.
As family and friends made their way inside of the church there was a mix of emotions.
"While we might be sad and we might be mad, let me tell you whose not sad or mad, that's young DJ right now," an attendee said.
"Nice kid," another attendee said. "Didn't deserve what happened to him at all. It's just so sad that the kids can't grow up and live a long life because of idiots and stupidity. "
After the funeral, Darious was taken by horse carriage to the gravesite where doves were released.