18-year-old killed over marijuana transaction at Sonic, police say
LA MARQUE, Texas -- A Sunday afternoon at a Sonic turned deadly.
"It's horrible," said a parent named Alicia.
La Marque police say 18-year-old Miles Christian Mitchell was shot and killed, his older brother 20-year-old Marcellous Mitchell was wounded.
A 15-year-old was arrested overnight and taken to the Galveston County Juvenile Detention Center.
"I don't know. I don't even have the question, much less the answer. We've turned into a hateful world," said Alicia.
Lifelong resident Leonard Smith added, "It's drugs. It's getting pushed from Houston to all the way down here."
Police believe in this case it was. They say the three were in the parking lot for a marijuana transaction.
Mitchell's father says despite the investigation, he believes his son was a good kid trying to finish high school and he says he tried to set a positive example for his sons.
It's not the first gun violence in La Marque in recent weeks. Police have investigated more than a half dozen shootings since mid-March where victims were wounded by gunfire. They attribute the increase not to traditional gangs, but say there are group rivalries causing problems in the community that demonstrate gang-like mentalities but pose new challenges in ways to fight them.
"I would like to see more participation with parents, grandparents. Know where your kids are, be more involved," said Alicia.
A resident named Margie added, "Try to keep a handle on the gun laws. I think that has a lot to do with it."
La Marque police say investigators worked with Friendswood police to track down the shooting suspect and negotiate with the boy's parents to get him to surrender.
ORIGINAL STORY: 18-year-old dead after being shot inside vehicle at Sonic drive-thru in La Marque
Because the accused shooter is a minor, state laws prevent his identity from being released.
He is detained in the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center.
He will be charged.
