Texas man trying to stop car break-ins shot dead. Mom says, 'I want justice for my baby'

Corrections: This story has been updated to remove information and correct where the victim's mother worked.

A Texas man is dead and another hospitalized after they tried to stop a suspect from breaking into vehicles.

Family members identified the man who was killed as 21-year-old Julian Comeaux.

Comeaux and his friends were in midtown Houston around 1 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, when they found out a suspect was trying to break into one of their cars, the Houston Police Department said in a news release. A fight broke out, and Comeaux was shot twice, dying next to the car, his cousin Kevin Parish told KTRK.

Police said the shooter fled the scene and had not been arrested by Tuesday.

Comeaux was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 24-year-old man was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition. Comeaux's cause of death was later ruled homicide caused by gunshot wounds to the neck and right arm, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences later confirmed to Paste BN.

Slain 21-year-old was set to enlist in the U.S. Navy

His mother, Larisha Sellers, spoke to KPRC-TV and said she feels “empty” and “broken.”

According to Sellers, she was previously told she couldn’t have children, but she gave birth to Comeaux, whom she lovingly calls her miracle.

“I just want justice for my baby,” she told the outlet. “I just don’t understand it. No mother should have to lose a child.”

Comeaux's aunt, Vivian Sellers, told Paste BN that Larisha Sellers is not doing well.

"That's her only son," she said. "They were really, really close. They were more like sister and brother."

She said that Comeaux graduated from high school a few years ago and loved sports. He was outgoing, too, she said.

Kenneth Cotton Jr., his older cousin, said he used to play Little League football. He was running back and was "very talented," Cotton said.

Comeaux's mother previously worked as a civilian contractor for the Department of Defense and encouraged her son to join the Navy, according to Cotton.

His aunt said he was excited about joining the Navy and wanted to look into enlisting, but he never got that chance.

Police continue to look for suspect

According to Comeaux's family, there may be videos of what happened that night, but the suspect has not been named as of Wednesday, Feb. 19, and no arrests have been made.

Authorities ask that anyone with information contact the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or leave a tip anonymously at 713-222-8477.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.