30-year-old Andrew Garza and his uncle were allegedly ambushed by a trio of robbery suspects while on their way to work.
HOUSTON, Texas — February 28th, 2024 was a dark day outside Sunny’s Express in north Houston when a bullet-riddled pickup was at the center of a murder investigation.
“It doesn’t hurt any less than the day it happened,” said Gerinda Joseph.
Joseph lost her nephew that morning and spoke with KHOU 11 on behalf of the family.
“Loved, loved his daughter,” said Joseph. “His daughter was his world.”
Houston Police said Garza and his uncle were fueling up before work when a trio of robbery suspects approached them.
The uncle pulled his own weapon in self-defense, and Garza was fatally struck in a hail of gunfire.
“His life got taken away in an instant,” said Joseph. “Something that should not have happened at all.”
24-year-old Fernando Aguilar, 19 -year-old Christian Barrera, and 22-year-old Travante Purvis were later charged with capital murder.
Right now, Purvis is set to be the first to go on trial, finally.
“Just like any other family that’s in our shoes, you want justice for your loved one,” said Joseph. “We’re going to have to put in the court’s hands.”
Meanwhile, she told us the family will continue to mourn and miss Garza, whose presence is felt every day despite his physical absence.
“Anytime we gather, it’s a reminder that he should be here,” said Joseph. “It always feels like something’s missing, somebody’s missing.” “It doesn’t feel the same at all.”
The three defendants remain locked up at the Harris County Jail on bonds ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.
Each faces the death penalty if convicted.
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