Man shot in Facebook video on life support
Woman accused of pulling trigger has told police it was an accident; probe continues
A Beaumont man is on life support in a Houston hospital after an apparent accidental shooting that was live-streamed on social media.
The now-viral footage shows the moments before Cassandra Nickcole Damper, 25, is accused of pulling the trigger and shooting Devyn Holmes. She told police the shooting was an accident, and her case is being referred to a Harris County grand jury.
Damper also is charged with tampering with evidence after police said she tried to wipe off gunshot residue that was on her. She has since been released on $2,500 bond, according to the Harris County district clerk. Court records note that there is video of the incident.
The incident was the first of two accidental shootings livestreamed in two days nationwide, the other involving a Detroit teenager who was fatally shot in the back of the head late Monday night.
The Houston shooting unfolded in the early hours of Easter Sunday in a car in front of a Valero gas station on Southmore and Almeda in Houston’s Museum District.
‘Making me nervous’
The video shows Damper, Holmes and another friend inside a car, joking around as they set up a Facebook Live video. Shortly after, Damper picked up a gun from the center armrest and pointed it directly at the camera. Holmes grabbed the gun, holding it with Damper.
“Hey man, you’re making me nervous,” he said.
The friend in the backseat reassured Holmes, saying the gun “ain’t got no clip, bud,” apparently referring to a lack of an ammunition clip.
All in a matter of seconds, Damper appeared to cock the gun and point it at Holmes.
“Hey, where you from again?” he asked.
She responded, “Say something, b- - - - -.” Then, a gunshot. In the Detroit incident, two 18year-olds were showing money and a gun live on Instagram on Monday night when one of them fatally shot the other in the back of the head, according to the Associated Press. The person who fired the gun told police that he accidentally put his finger on the trigger.
As of Monday, Holmes was brain dead in the hospital on life support, “awaiting notification of next of kin before terminating life support measures,” according to Harris County district clerk records. A family member confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Holmes was still in the hospital.
The Houston shooting appeared to involve people “playing with guns,” Houston police Detective John Roberts said. Damper and the unidentified friend told police they had been handling two guns that they thought were unloaded.
Point of contention
The incident has garnered national media attention, with hundreds of people pouring out support for Holmes and his recovery. Among the well-wishers was rapper Trae tha Truth, who posted a photo on Monday of him posing with Holmes.
The reposting of the live video has been a point of contention, however, especially among family members.
“Please take that video down ... I can’t take it anymore I’m goin crazy... stop doin my brother like this please,” his brother, Kendric, posted on Facebook on Sunday.
Holmes said in other posts that Devyn was still fighting.
“He pulling thr u... I need you baby brother #pray4devyn,” he said.
While Damper waits for a grand jury verdict, she already has been charged with tampering/fabricating evidence. When she was in custody, Damper tried to wipe off any gunshot residue that was on her, police said.