WADDIEONNE GRIFFIN - 16 yo (2011)/ Charged: Unnamed Boyfriend - South Houston TX

Authorities are looking for the person behind a drive-by shooting in south Houston that left a 16-year-old girl dead.

Waddieonne Griffin was standing with a group of friends outside her boyfriend’s home in the 4900 block of Alvin around 12:55 a.m. Saturday when a dark-colored vehicle pulled in front of the home, Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said.

Someone inside the vehicle then began shooting toward the group before leaving the scene, Cannon said.

The teen was shot in the arm and back. She was taken to an area hospital, where she later died.

No further information on the case is available, but officers are asking for the public's help.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7436817.html

Boyfriend faces charges in accidental shooting
Boy faces charges in teen girl's killing; Officials say boyfriend accidentally shot her, and others lied to cover it up

ANITA HASSAN, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
February 20, 2011

A 16-year-old girl who police originally believed was killed on Saturday in a drive-by shooting in south Houston actually died when her boyfriend accidentally fired a gun that a group of teens was handling, authorities said Sunday.

Originally, the group of 13- to 17-year-olds told police that a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and fired a shot at the group, which was standing outside a home in the 4900 block of Alvin around 12:55 a.m., said Houston Police Department Homicide Division detective Fil Waters.

After further questioning, however, the teens admitted that someone in the group had brought a gun to show off at a small get-together at the home. It accidentally discharged, fatally striking Waddieonne Griffin.

"They were scared to death," Waters said. "And unfortunately their first instinct was to lie."

The teens told police that the 16-year-old, who friends called "Yannie," asked her boyfriend for the weapon so she could put it away and keep anyone in the group from getting hurt, police said.

The boy, who had no experience handling a firearm, attempted to unload and disarm the gun before handing it to Griffin. Instead, it accidentally discharged, striking her once in the arm and going through her chest and out her back, Waters said.

She died at Memorial Hermann Hospital-The Texas Medical Center.

"It's just a horrible, horrible, accident," Waters said.

Charges of negligent homicide are expected to be filed against Griffin's boyfriend, who is a juvenile and whose name was not released. His parents were home at the time of the shooting, but were asleep and told police they do not allow guns in their home, Waters said.

Both families are grieving the loss. HPD Homicide Division Sgt. Brian Harris, who also worked on the case, said Griffin's boyfriend wrote a letter of apology to the family and asked investigators to deliver it to them.

"It was a bunch of kids irresponsibly handling a firearm," Waters said. "And the one who was trying to get them to put it away was the one who is tragically killed."

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Boyfriend-faces-charges-in-accidental-shooting-1683099.php

Update: Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting at 4910 Alvin

February 22, 2011 -

A juvenile suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a juvenile female at 4910 Alvin about 12:55 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 19).

The victim, Waddieonne Griffin, 16, of Houston, suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The suspect, also 16, is the victim's boyfriend. He has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of criminally negligent homicide.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Harris and Senior Police Officer M. Waters reported:

Initially, witnesses said the victim was standing outside her boyfriend's residence with some friends when a dark colored vehicle drove by. At that time, a person or persons inside the vehicle fired shots and struck the teenage girl in the back and arm. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Further investigation into the incident revealed the juvenile boyfriend had been handling a pistol that was brought to his home by a friend. The victim (Waddieonne) asked her boyfriend to give her the gun so no one would get hurt. Her intention was to put the pistol away in a safe place. As the boyfriend attempted to disengage the hammer to a non-firing position, it slipped and discharged the weapon. The bullet struck Waddieonne in the left arm, and went through into the left side of her chest. The boyfriend attempted to tend to Waddieonne until police and paramedics arrived.

The juvenile suspect has given a confession to the circumstances of the incident and was taken into custody without incident on Monday (Feb. 21).

Update: JKS/JFC 2-22-11
JFC/VHS 2-21-11
Inc #021476211

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2011/feb/nr022211-3.htm