Seven suspects arrested in connection with deadly Houston shooting, police say

HOUSTON, Texas (TND) — Seven men have been charged in connection with a fatal shooting and “other shooting incidents” in Texas, authorities say.

The Houston Police Department said Wednesday that the following people were arrested on various charges:

• Cameron Dewayne Kennon, 21, charged with murder
• Parnell Washington, 18, charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and engaging in organized criminal activity
• Isaac Zarate, 23, charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and engaging in organized criminal activity

Police also said four other suspects, Nicholas Jackson, 21, Jyelle Franklin, 17, Matthew Hailu Mekonnen, 18, and Jacolby Pendleton, 30, were each charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and participation in organized criminal activities.

Authorities identified the man who was killed as 34-year-old Eric Johnson.

In May, police said officers responded to a shooting call at a convenience store, where they found Johnson unconscious in the parking lot. Police said he suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Police said Johnson's shooting was directly linked to two other shootings, including on May 2 and 3, that injured a total of six people. The investigation into these shootings ultimately led police to identify the seven suspects.

Police say Kennon, Washington, Franklin and Pendleton were arrested on May 29, while Kennon and Washington were charged in Johnson's death. Washington was also charged for his involvement in the two separate shootings, police said.

The police also stated the following:

• Franklin and Pendleton were charged for their involvement in the May 3 shooting.
• Jackson was arrested on May 30 and charged for his involvement in the May 3 incident.
• Mekonnen was arrested Monday by HPD Southeast CST officers and charged for his involvement in the May 3 incident.
• Zarate was arrested on May 9 on an unrelated charge and later indicted for his involvement in the May 2 and 3 incidents.