The 16-year-old was released without charges after police investigated a shooting that preceded a deadly crash near Bush Intercontinental Airport.
HOUSTON, Texas — A 16-year-old boy was questioned and released after a City of Houston employee was shot and later found dead following a violent vehicle crash near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to police and local news reports.
The victim was identified by Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi as Dequavius Davis, an employee on the city’s drainage and maintenance team. Davis was a passenger in a black Cadillac that crashed with another vehicle July 24, 2025, along the North Beltway frontage road near John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Police said Davis had suffered a gunshot wound before the collision, but investigators initially could not determine whether the shooting or crash caused his death.
Houston police said the events began with an argument in the 2200 block of North Sam Houston Parkway. Detective Shaun Sylvester told reporters that a pistol was drawn during the confrontation and one person was shot. Davis was then being taken toward a hospital in a private vehicle when the Cadillac collided with another car near Beltway 8 and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Cadillac was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery, police said. FOX 26 reported that he was expected to recover. ABC13 reported that the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was also hospitalized. Police learned about the earlier shooting while investigating the collision.
The teenager’s mother, who was not identified by ABC13, gave the station an account of the confrontation that preceded the shooting. She said the dispute was connected to her daughter’s recent breakup with a former boyfriend. According to her account, the former boyfriend and Davis went to the daughter’s apartment, where an argument escalated. She alleged that Davis attacked her 16-year-old son and that someone appeared to be preparing to use a gun against him.
The mother said her son fired inside the apartment, striking Davis, and later returned home. She said she contacted police and arranged for the teenager to turn himself in. Her account represents the family’s version of events and was not presented by police as a final determination of what happened. Authorities did not publicly identify the juvenile because of his age.
Houston police said the teenager admitted being involved in the shooting after turning himself in. Detectives consulted with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and the case was referred to a Harris County grand jury for review. The teenager was released and had not been charged in the reports issued immediately after the incident.
Davis was 26, according to family members and friends who spoke with local media. Macchi said Davis had worked for the city since 2020 and was killed while on his lunch break. In a statement, Macchi described Davis as a dedicated member of the Houston Public Works drainage and maintenance team and expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
The circumstances of Davis’ death remained a key part of the investigation because the shooting was followed so closely by the severe crash. Police said at the time that the medical examiner would have to determine whether the gunshot wound, injuries from the collision or a combination of factors caused his death. Public reporting reviewed for this article did not identify a later announced charging decision following the grand jury referral.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 29, 2026.