Original story of Killing

Police: 2 Fatally Shot Over Cell Phone Dispute
By Hasti Taghi

POSTED: Sunday, March 20, 2011

HOUSTON -- Investigators with the Houston Police Department said two men were fatally shot when they found a lost cell phone.

HPD said they were called to the 6200 Block of West Bellfort at the Bel-Lindo Apartments at about 2 a.m. Sunday where they found the bodies of the two victims.

Jose Flores said he was a friend of one victim and a nephew of another.

"When I got here, I found my friend lying there and my uncle over there both dead -- murdered," Flores said.

Investigators said the two victims and a third person were buying beer from the Albury Food Mart when they found a cell phone and decided to take it. They said the owner of the lost phone called looking for it.

Sgt. Will Gonzalez said one of the complainants told the men to come to the complex and started negotiating.

"We'll give you the phone, give us some money," Gonzalez said.

He said the three victims were ambushed by the culprits at the complex just across the street from the food mart. According to police, unable to flee, the disabled man was shot on the spot while the other two took off running. Gonzalez said at least 10 to 15 shots were fired through the courtyard hitting and killing a second victim, and the third man got away unharmed. He said the men took off in a car.

Now Flores said he's in disbelief that two men are dead over a cell phone dispute.

"I don't know what to say," Flores said, "I couldn't begin to say anything."

Investigators said they are looking at video from surveillance cameras at the food mart and ones at the complex to seek more information in this investigation.

They are trying to determine if someone at the complex has the phone. They said shots went through at least one apartment but no one else at the complex was hurt. They believe the men took off in a dark blue or black Honda Civic with a sunroof.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/27255884/detail.html