Houston farmers market shooting: teen remains in custody

HOUSTON — A 14-year-old charged in connection with the shooting death of a Houston Farmers Market employee will remain in custody, a judge ruled Monday.

A hearing was held at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center for the teenager who turned himself in following the shooting death of Damon Price, 36, a father of two.

Price was checking in his employees early Thursday morning when police say two people came in and tried to steal a golf cart. When he tried to stop them, they shot him.

The teen is charged with capital murder.

RELATED: HPD: 14-year-old arrested in shooting death of Houston Farmers Market employee

During the hearing, the minor’s lawyer requested that he be returned to the custody of his grandmother. However, the judge ruled against releasing the minor, saying he was at high risk of running away and getting hurt.

No new information has been released on the second suspect still wanted in connection with the fatal shooting.

Police say the suspects broke into a store at the Houston Farmers Market around 4:15 a.m. June 6 and attempted to steal a golf cart parked near the exit.

Price confronted them and a fight broke out.

RELATED: “That Was My Baby Boy” | Father of man killed trying to stop suspects from stealing golf cart at Houston Farmers Market speaks out

Investigators said one of the suspects pulled out a gun during the fight and shot Price before they both ran away.

Houston police said they have several surveillance videos to work with and hope they lead to the second suspect.

Price’s family members are demanding justice. They said losing him this way was hard to understand.

“He was my little boy, I know that,” said Leo Price, Damon Price’s father.

Leo Price said details of his son’s death were slowly coming in following the tragedy that rocked the family.

“I wasn’t frustrated, I was just hurt,” he said. “I love him. He was my son. He wasn’t perfect, which none of us are, but it happened while he was doing his job.”

Leo Price said security was at the farmers market at the time, but instead of intervening to help Price, they ran, leaving his son to die.

The loss of Damon Price leaves a void that the family will never be able to fill.

“He was a good man. He took care of his children. I didn’t expect this day to come,” said Damon Price’s ex-wife, Cheterria Alexander.

She had a message for the accused killers.

“Put down your guns. Go to school. Be something. Damon didn’t deserve this.”

“We are devastated by the tragic event that occurred this morning and took the life of an innocent man and a beloved market employee. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, friends and together in the Houston Farmers Market community as we navigate this senseless tragedy.

“The Houston Police Department is actively investigating the situation and we are supporting them in any way we can – including working closely with Crime Stoppers (more details to follow) – to bring these criminals to justice.

“If you have any information about this crime, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477).

“Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the indictment and/or arrest of the suspects in this case. Information can be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or via the Crime Stoppers mobile app Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.