Teens charged in shooting
Two teenagers are behind bars and facing capital murder charges in connection with a fatal shooting in January in the parking lot of a Cypress movie theater.
Faith Deleon, 17, and a 16-year-old boy were arrested and charged Thursday. Both are being held in the Harris County Jail. The 16-year-old is being charged as a juvenile.
Deleon allegedly arranged a Jan. 1 meetup outside the Studio Movie Grill in the 8500 block of Texas 6 between herself, the 16-year-old suspect and two 18-year-old men. There, she allegedly witnessed the 16-year-old suspect shoot both the 18-year-old men, killing one.
Deleon arranged the meeting because the 16-year-old suspect said he needed money to buy new clothes, according to court documents.
She and the 16-year-old traveled to the movie theater together in a white pickup truck.
The pair met the 18-yearold men, Daniel Gerding and Colyn Timmons, under the premise they wanted to buy a small amount of marijuana from them.
When Gerding and Timmons arrived, Deleon and the 16-year-old suspect got into Gerding’s gray Toyota Camry. After demanding money from one of the men, the 16-year-old suspect shot Gerding twice in the back, according to court records.
Gerding got out of the Camry and ran before collapsing on the sidewalk.
When Timmons tried to get out of the car, the 16-yearold suspect allegedly shot him in the face once.
Deleon and the other suspect fled after the shooting in the pickup truck. They left blood in the Camry and Gerding and Timmons’ cellphones beside the car, according to court documents.
Deleon and the 16-year-old suspect allegedly headed to a nearby Valero gas station. There, the younger suspect allegedly broke Deleon’s cellphone and changed clothes. Then the pair headed down Barker Cypress, past Interstate 10. The 16-year-old threw the gun and Deleon’s cellphone into a wooded area along Barker Cypress.
Deleon was connected to the case when investigators found her cellphone number in Gerding and Timmons’ cellphone records, according to court records.
Both Deleon and the 16-year-old suspect allegedly were involved in an aggravated assault case the night before, during which the younger suspect allegedly shot someone in the leg, according to court documents.
Deleon told investigators she and the 16-year-old had robbed other people before but that Deleon had never had a gun. But the district attorney’s office cited the aggravated assault case, during which Deleon allegedly would have seen the 16-year-old suspect with a gun, as evidence she should have anticipated the 16-yearold’s actions.
Gerding was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Timmons was transported via Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. He has since recovered.
Deleon’s first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.