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Update on Incident at 9707 South Gessner #513

October 4, 2005 -- Houston police homicide investigators have arrested a suspect in the apparent accidental fatal shooting of a woman at 9707 South Gessner #513 about 8:25 p.m. last Thursday (Sept. 29).

Shelton Dwayne Strawder (b/m, DOB 12-3-84) is in custody and charged with manslaughter in the 178th State District Court. The victim, Ashley Nicholson, 19, of 6400 West Bellfort suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Newcomb and Officer T. Huynh reported:

Ms. Nicholson was shot while inside an apartment. Witnesses said there were two males in the apartment when the shooting occurred. However, the males fled on foot before officers and paramedics arrived. Witnesses told investigators one of the males was Shelton Strawder and the other's identity was not known.

Strawder was arrested about 5:45 a.m. on Sunday after he turned himself in. Investigators say he confessed to his role in the incident and said the shooting was accidental.

Update JFC/NJM 10-4-05
JFC/MES 9-30-05
Inc #149075705

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.