Charges Filed Against Parents in Fatal Shooting of 5-Year-Old Child in Houston

Houston authorities have filed charges against two suspects in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 5-year-old child that occurred on Denmark Street on December 3, 2022.

The suspects, identified as Rufus Leo King, 37, and Latasha Nicole Thompson, 38, are facing charges of tampering with evidence in the 248th State District Court. Additionally, Latasha Nicole Thompson has been charged with misdemeanor firearm accessibility to a child in Harris County Criminal Court #11. Booking photos of King from 2022 and Thompson from 2019 have been released to the public.

The young victim has been identified as Mateen King, just 5 years old at the time of the incident.

According to reports from the Houston Police Department’s Major Assaults & Family Violence Division, officers responded to a call of a shooting at 4905 Denmark Street, and they were informed that the victim, Mateen, had been rushed to a nearby hospital by a private vehicle. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Mateen succumbed to his injuries on December 12, 2022.

As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Mateen and an 8-year-old male had gained access to a firearm that was kept inside the residence. Tragically, Mateen was accidentally shot by the 8-year-old.

Further inquiry led detectives to identify Rufus Leo King and Latasha Nicole Thompson, who are Mateen’s parents, as the prime suspects in the case. Consequently, charges were filed against them on July 16.

Authorities are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating Rufus Leo King and Latasha Nicole Thompson. If anyone has any information regarding their whereabouts or any details relevant to this case, they are urged to contact the HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division at 713-308-8800. Alternatively, individuals can provide anonymous tips by reaching out to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.