Houston Police Department

March 22, 2006 -- Charges will be upgraded against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 12300 Fleming about 10:25 a.m. on March 16.

The suspect, Herson Argelo Romero (H/m, DOB 2-7-88), is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 176th State District Court. That charge will be upgraded to murder. He is accused in the killing of Erick Gerardo Lanca, 16, of 12300 Fleming #202. Lanca was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital the day after the shooting.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. McGalin and Officer M. Sosa Jr. reported:

The suspect, victim and a witness were smoking marijuana in front of the witness' apartment when for an unknown reason the victim and suspect began to argue. When the victim asked the suspect where he was from, the suspect stated he was in a particular gang. The suspect then asked the victim the same, to which the victim said he was from a different gang. At that time, the victim pulled out a knife and held it at the side of his leg. The suspect then pulled a gun. When the victim stated to the suspect that if he was going to shoot him to shoot him, the suspect fired one time and struck the victim in the head. The suspect fled and was arrested later that night (Mar. 16) without incident.

JFC/RMM 3-22-06
Inc #042337906

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