Houston Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Murder of 11-Year-Old Boy During 2022 Shooting

A Houston man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murder in the 2022 shooting death of 11-year-old Darius “DJ” Dugas, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

The shooting occurred on the evening of February 3, 2022, during a winter storm in northeast Harris County. DJ had stepped outside his apartment complex to retrieve a jacket from the family car when he was struck by gunfire.

The incident began when 22-year-old Daveyonne Howard was confronted by a man who saw him breaking into his car and stealing his wallet. As the man followed Howard and demanded the return of the wallet, Howard pulled out a pistol and opened fire. One of the bullets hit DJ in the chest as he stood between the two men. Howard fled the scene.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the shooting, and DJ was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Howard was arrested days later and charged with murder.

Assistant District Attorneys Brett Batchelor and Carina Batista prosecuted the case. Batista, who works in the Crimes Against Children Division, emphasized the tragic nature of the crime, noting, “He was just shooting in an apartment complex, right in front of a playground, and this could have been anyone’s child. DJ just got caught in the middle.”

“Our hearts go out to the family because there is absolutely no reason that a little boy should lose his life by just stepping outside of his home,” Ogg said. “All gun violence is awful and pointless, but when someone so young and innocent is killed, it really shows that a bullet does not care.”

Howard pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced by a judge following a punishment hearing. He will be required to serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

“Before the shooting, this defendant was out burglarizing vehicles, so we thought a lengthy sentence was appropriate and justice was done,” Batista said. “He was just shooting in an apartment complex, right in front of a playground, and this could have been anyone’s child. DJ just got caught in the middle.”

“This was an innocent little boy just going to get his jacket, and now he’s gone forever and his family will never get him back,” Batchelor said.