In May, Deonte Hicks took a drive to Houston to spend the weekend with a woman who he met online; tragically, he was robbed and killed, police says.
What We Know:
- In early May, Deonte Hicks drove to Houston from Dallas for a weekend away with a woman he met online, or so he thought. Local station ABC 13 reports that the 27-year-old father was a victim of catfishing. Police told his family when a person pretends to be someone else on social media, it is often with sinister purposes.
- According to Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division, On May 10, at 4:20 a.m., Hicks was shot and killed while standing outside of his car in the 1000 block of Centre Parkway.
- His family says he was lured there and then robbed, CBSDFW reports. Hicks was rushed to a regional hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Who killed Deonte Hicks? If you have any information which can help investigators, call (713) 222-TIPS (8477). Reward possible up to $5,000. HPD 615966-20 – 10000 blk. Centre Pkwy. – @houstonpolice #hounews https://t.co/FNB7FlHAFt pic.twitter.com/utDKNnG7YR
— Crime Stoppers HOU (@CrimeStopHOU) June 19, 2020
- The Crime Stoppers release statement states that two unknown Black male suspects were seen leaving on foot “in an unknown direction of travel.” Arrests have not been made at the moment. On Friday, Hicks’s family went to Houston to pass out fliers to bring up new detectives leads.
- His mother, Aleshia King, was too upset to speak. But his aunt Tamara Peterson stated the family doesn’t think the police are doing enough to find Hicks’ killer or killers.
“It has not been a top priority,” she stated. “My family and I, we’ve gone to Houston headquarters to talk to detectives. I’ve called a million times. Nothing has been done. I’ve been passed off to the next person. I’ve been given the runaround. Nothing done.”
- Activist Quanell X went with the family to Houston, saying he wished police would solve the case.“We have to mobilize,” he said, CBSDFW reports. We have to get busy. We have to raise our voices.”
- He states detectives told the family that Hicks had come to Houston after meeting a woman in an online chat room, according to ABC 13 reports. He drove to Houston to spend the weekend with her.
Crime Stoppers may give up to $5,000 for information pointing to the identification, charging, or capture of the criminals in this case. Information may be given by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), sent online at www.crimestoppers.org, or via Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only clues and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and entitled to a cash reward.
