17-Year-Old Lufkin Shooting Victim Dies in Houston Hospital; Murder Charges Pending Against Suspect

17-Year-Old Lufkin Shooting Victim Dies in Houston Hospital; Murder Charges Pending Against Suspect

LUFKIN, Texas — A tragic turn of events has gripped the Lufkin community after a 17-year-old juvenile shot Tuesday evening succumbed to his injuries early Wednesday morning at a Houston hospital. The fatal shooting, which occurred in the 100 block of Percy Simond Avenue, is now under active investigation by the Lufkin Police Department as they work to determine the full scope of what led to the deadly encounter.

According to a press release issued by Jackie Zimmerman, public relations specialist for the Lufkin Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered that a juvenile had sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds. The teen was immediately transported to Woodland Heights Medical Center, where medical teams provided urgent care before he was airlifted to a Houston hospital in a critical condition.

Despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff, the victim passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning. His identity has not yet been publicly released, pending notification of his family.

Shortly after the shooting, officers located and apprehended Julious Griffin, 26, near the Brookshire Brothers warehouse, not far from the crime scene. Griffin was taken into custody without further incident and was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon. According to police, Griffin admitted during questioning that he shot the teen, but claimed it was an act of self-defense.

Detectives, however, are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and are now preparing murder charges against Griffin, given the victim’s death and the evidence gathered so far. Authorities have emphasized that while Griffin remains in the Angelina County Jail, the case is far from closed, with investigators actively following up on leads, reviewing witness statements, and processing forensic evidence.

“The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to determine whether the suspect’s claims of self-defense are supported by the facts of the case,” Zimmerman stated.

The neighborhood around Percy Simond Avenue remains shaken, as residents grapple with the violence that took a young life and raised urgent questions about community safety. For many, the loss of a 17-year-old under such tragic and violent circumstances is a painful reminder of the need for conflict resolution and youth support services.

While further details about what sparked the shooting have not yet been made public, authorities are asking anyone with additional information to come forward. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional witnesses or evidence that could influence the direction of the case.

In the meantime, grief counselors and crisis support are being made available to local schools and community groups impacted by the teen’s death. As the community mourns the loss of another young life, many are calling for unity and justice, hoping that the truth will come to light and accountability will be served.

Updates will be provided as the Lufkin Police Department continues to investigate and prosecutors determine the next legal steps against Julious Griffin.