Collegian allegedly bragged of killing
Shoes, cellphone taken from body, witness says
A Prairie View A&M University student charged in the death of his classmate bragged to a friend that he drugged and killed him over a $400 debt, according to court documents obtained Friday.
Ayinde Williams, 19, faces murder charges after Tristan Houston was found March 31 in a rural area 20 miles from the university with a gunshot wound in the back of his head.
A 31-year-old woman told authorities that Williams said he took Houston to the woods on March 29 and shot him over a debt of $400, according to a sworn statement from a Texas Department of Public Safety investigator.
Williams later told the investigator he was “just trying to impress (the woman)” by saying that, according to the statement. He added that he went with Houston and two other men into a wooded area “to look for mushrooms,” without specifying what type. He claimed another man fired the gun and then made him toss it into the woods, according to the affidavit.
That man, a 25-year-old who has not been charged, told investigators he heard a gunshot and saw Houston lying in the woods, according to the statement. He told authorities that Williams took a cellphone from Houston’s body and removed his shoes. He later led authorities to the body.
The fourth man told investigators that he saw a black pistol in Williams’ waistband as he exited the car with Houston and the 25-year-old, according to the statement.
Craig Davis, the Waller County sheriff’s chief deputy, said this week that he could not rule out additional arrests as the investigation continues, though he said Williams is the “No. 1 suspect.”
Originally from Fresno, Williams has no apparent criminal record. His attorney, Sadiya Evangelista, said the engineering sophomore plans to plead not guilty.
As of Friday afternoon, Williams remained in the Waller County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 25.
Details in the death emerged as Houston’s mother Alesia Dorsey prepared to walk in an event to honor victims of violent crimes being held Saturday at the same Wharton stadium where her son once played high school football. Houston, 20, was studying kinesiology at Prairie View and wanted to become an occupational therapist to help people like he helped his mother, who has suffered multiple strokes.
“He was a loving, caring young man. His smile was radiant,” Dorsey said. Houston played football, baseball and basketball.