Baby killed by gunfire mourned as ‘our angel’
HPD chief thanks father for not seeking retribution in slaying
The mourners bowed their heads by Messiah Justice Marshall’s tiny white coffin, bidding the baby farewell.
The 10-month-old boy died in a torrent of gunfire June 14, an innocent victim in a senseless act that left his family and much of southwest Houston reeling.
Police said after the slaying that three men had unleashed a hail of bullets at Messiah’s father, Nigel Marshall, in the parking lot outside the family’s apartment.
The father fled, trying to shield his young son from the bullets, but one hit the little boy, who died at a nearby Valero gas station.
At The Church at Bethel’s Family sanctuary Friday, Police Chief Art Acevedo praised Marshall for the love he had shown his young son and thanked him for not seeking retribution against the boy’s killers — repeating a plea the department had issued to community residents after the tragic killing.
“You trusted us to seek justice, to seek justice for you, your family, and your little son. Too often, people don’t trust us,” Acevedo said, addressing the stricken father and a crowd of several dozen mourners. “Thank you for believing in this department.”
A Houston man was arrested six days after the shooting and has been charged with capital murder.
Police say Jared Balogun, a 24-year-old with a history of minor arrests, was already in jail when prosecutors accused him in the baby’s death.
Police say he fired at the boy’s father as he was walking about 1:30 p.m. outside the Nob Hill Apartments on North Braeswood.
Balogun also is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in an incident four days earlier.
At the funeral Friday, mourners recalled little Messiah’s laughter and infectious happiness, and the joy he brought to others.
“He was a blessing to us,” one said. “He smelled good. He looked good. He walked good. His spirit was strong.”
About 11 a.m., the mourners filed out of the church’s sanctuary. The pallbearers rolled Messiah’s coffin to a hearse waiting outside, as his relatives consoled one another in the mid-morning heat.
His parents did not speak during the short ceremony. On a program, however, they had printed a message to their young son.
“Messiah, you were and still are our angel,” it read, in part. “One day we will be back united, until then, we love you and we will try to stay strong for you.”