Mayor asks for help in finding boy’s killer

Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday appealed to Houston residents for information regarding last week’s stabbing death of sixth-grader Josué Flores, emphasizing the need to apprehend the boy’s killer after police admitted they initially arrested the wrong man.

Turner apologized for that wrongful arrest and called on community members to work with law enforcement.

“I just believe there’s somebody or people in this city that have some information that they can provide to law enforcement that will help (get) this person arrested and convicted. What we can do as the Flores family prepares to bury their son — we can do everything we can to bring this person to justice,” Turner said. “But it’s also going to take a citywide community effort to join with us to make that happen. Help us to bring closure to the Flores family; help us to make sure Josué Flores receives the justice he rightfully deserves.”

Acting Police Chief Martha Montalvo said she met with other law enforcement agencies Monday to develop a plan to protect the northside neighborhood. She also said DNA testing had been expedited in the case, but it was not clear when those DNA tests would come back.

Asked if time was lost because of last week’s wrongful arrest, Montalvo said, “We never stopped looking, even though we had this individual.”

Crime Stoppers is offering $15,000 for any information that leads to an arrest. Those with information about the case may contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222TIPS or Houston police at 713-308-3600.

Mike Morris contributed to this report.