Houston, Texas (KTRK) – A family speaks up after a father was shot and killed at a gas station in southwest Houston and his two-year-old son was found dead in his stolen car two miles away.
According to Houston police, Michael Essien met a man at a gas station in the 5500 block of El Camino Del Rey and Chimney Rock on Tuesday around 1:45 p.m. The two got into an argument and, for reasons unknown, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Essien.
Then he drove off in the Essien SUV with the victim’s two-year-old son still in the back seat.
All I want is my brother and my two-year-old who just learned how to say ‘Aunt Jesse,’ said Jesse, the victim’s sister, crying as she struggled with agonizing grief. He ran up and said, “Hi Aunt Jesse.”
It wasn’t until hours later, around 6:40 p.m., that officers learned there was a baby in the car when a worried mother called 911, saying her husband and son were missing.
According to the police, the description given by the woman matches that of the victim.
Within 30 minutes of the mother’s contact, the stolen car with the child was found just miles away. However, it was too late. The infant, who was left alone in the hot car for hours and died from what officials believe was heat exhaustion.
Essien leaves behind a wife and two more children, including a baby they welcomed just a week ago, who will now not recognize his father and brother.
“Michael has a 5-year-old son and a 1-week-old baby, and he’s 1 week old,” exclaimed Jesse. “Michael has a wife. Lord Jesus, all I need is my brother.”
The ABC13 crew was the only crew there as officers apprehended a suspect at an apartment complex near the scene of the shooting, early Wednesday morning. The 38-year-old now faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence. Houston police will release the suspect’s name once charges are filed.
“Anyone who knows my brother knows Michael is a peaceful man,” Jesse said. “Michael never argued with anyone. Michael took off the shirt and gave it to other people to wear. Michael would have given his last cent to other people.”
Watch more: The 38-year-old faces murder charges that led to the discovery that a child died inside a stolen SUV
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