Man Shot to Death During Apparent Robbery While Offering Food in West Houston

HOUSTON – A man was shot and killed early Sept. 30 after police say he was approached by a gunman demanding money while the victim was offering food to people in a west Houston parking lot.

The shooting happened about 2:20 a.m. at 2130 South Highway 6, according to the Houston Police Department.

Officers responding to reports of gunfire found the victim lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The deceased was identified as 58-year-old John D. Donat.

Nearby, officers found a Chevrolet Tahoe that had crashed through a wooden fence along the side of the parking lot.

Witnesses told investigators the victim had been driving the Tahoe and was offering them food when another person approached the passenger side of the vehicle and demanded money.

One witness told police she walked away after hearing the demand. A short time later, she heard gunshots followed by the sound of the Tahoe crashing into the fence.

Other witnesses reported hearing the gunfire and crash before seeing a suspect run from the vehicle. They provided officers with a description of the person who fled, police said.

Houston Police Patrol Support Team officers who were nearby located a man matching the description. He was detained and questioned before being booked into the Harris County Jail on an unrelated offense.

Police initially described the man as a person of interest. After being questioned, he was booked into the Harris County Jail on a separate offense. He was identified by Houston Police as 30-year-old Otis Parks. After further investigation, Parks was charged with Murder.

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