HOUSTON – We’re learning more about how a 17-year-old was arrested Tuesday for killing a 14-year-old in northwest Houston last July and was able to lay low for so many months.
PREVIOUS: 17-year-old arrested in connection to shooting death of 14-year-old in NW Houston in July 2024
Joshua Garcia, 17, was formally charged with murder in connection to the death of Abraham Choukair. During a probable cause court Tuesday night, Garcia admitted to the murder, told people he was going into hiding shortly afterward, and deactivated his Instagram.
This is because court records found the 17-year-old was talking to someone on Instagram about buying a gun shortly before killing Choukair. The 14-year-old was found shot to death in a parked car’s driver’s seat outside of an apartment complex on July 20, 2024, on Hammerly Blvd off Bingle in Central Spring Branch.
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The motive behind Choukair’s death has not been revealed, as of this writing, but a preliminary investigation revealed he was seen talking to a young woman shortly before the shooting. The girl was followed by another young man, later identified as Garcia.
Both Garcia and the girl fled the scene, with surveillance footage capturing Garcia running further into the apartment complex alongside his accomplice. He could not be found though for more than four months.
In October, the teenage girl was arrested for her role in the shooting, and charged with capital murder, but her identity was not released because of her age.
Garcia was formally charged on September 5 and put behind bars on a $1 million bond. As part of his condition, Garcia is deemed a flight risk and subject to an ankle monitor.
