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Tom Perumean
Authorities are asking for help in solving the case of a 19-year-old driver shot and killed just off the Katy Freeway last week.
Cody Johnson was on his way to pick up his girlfriend when someone rolled up and shot him around 8 p.m. Friday September 27. He later died at an area hospital.
On Friday morning Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales, his Homicide Squad, and the family of the 19-year-old, who was killed in what officials say was a road rage shooting, were at Crimestoppers downtown as the organization announced a high dollar reward for information about the shooting. Crimestoppers’ Andy Kahn stepped up to appeal to the public.
“Crimestoppers is now offering an up to $30,000 reward, that’s up to a $30,000 reward leading up to the arrest of the suspect and or suspects.”
As members of Cody’s family struggled to maintain composure with a rush of emotions on their faces, Sheriff Gonzales asked the public:
“We encourage those with vehicle cameras or in-car cameras such as ride share drivers to check their video footage and help bring justice to Cody,” he said. “Crimestoppers may pay up to $30,000 leading the arrest of the suspect or suspects in this case. Your assistance may be critical in bringing justice to Cody’s family.”
Harris County has seen a 135% increase in road rage shooting incidents over eight years. Sheriff Gonzales, standing before the emotionally distraught family members, said road rage violence is on the rise and said the community must do better to address the dangerous driving culture he’s seeing across the region.
Houston Crimestoppers CEO Rania Mankarious stepped in to offer their organization’s tools to reducing road rage.
“Crimestoppers offers free resources if you go to Crimestoppers.org. We have resources on how to handle road rage, how to handle driving, we share it wherever we can,” she said. “Sadly, I think there’s a demise in humanity over the last 40 years. People don’t have that sensibility and sensitivity towards others, but we’re doing whatever we can to change it.”
Mankarious added that Crimestoppers is thankful for any tipsters who call in. Anyone with information can report to Crimestoppers anonymously.
