In northeast Harris County, authorities are seeking video evidence related to a shooting incident that left a 10-year-old boy, known as CJ Junior, hospitalized with multiple injuries. Despite his stable condition, CJ underwent extensive medical procedures, including surgery to address injuries to his heart, liver, lung, spleen, and colon.
According to Francine Holiday, CJ’s grandmother, the incident occurred on Wednesday night at an apartment complex playground where CJ and his three older sisters were playing with a group of children. An argument ensued, escalating into a physical altercation, during which gunfire erupted from a pistol. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez indicated that the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear.
Holiday recounted that CJ was shot at the playground and collapsed while attempting to locate his sisters. Fortunately, two apartment residents responded to his cries for help before his family contacted emergency services. As investigators work to unravel the circumstances leading to the shooting and identify the perpetrator, Sheriff Gonzalez urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving the case.
Notably, this isn’t the first shooting involving a child at the same apartment complex. In a previous incident, 11-year-old Darius Dugas Jr. was fatally shot over two years ago. His family subsequently filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex, alleging inadequate security measures. Holiday expressed concern over the lack of safety measures, particularly regarding broken gates and inadequate security presence.
Meanwhile, CJ’s mother remains at Memorial Hermann hospital, and authorities have recovered surveillance footage of the incident. However, the footage cannot be released immediately. Anyone with information relevant to the case is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
