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Update on Incident at 1422 Dorothy

June 14, 2006 -- A suspect has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a man found at 1422 Dorothy about 11 a.m. on June 9.

The suspect is identified as Ruben Hernandez (H/m, DOB 1-18-77). He was arrested on Tuesday (June 13) by members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force on unrelated charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping. He is now charged with capital murder in the 337th State District Court as a result of the death of Demon Ray Washington, 26, of 1919 Runnels. Washington suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J.W. Belk and Officer M.J. Miller reported:

Mr. Washington was found behind a church and school. It was apparent he was shot at another location and then dumped at 1422 Dorothy. Investigators believe the victim had been dead for at least six hours. The victim's blue BAPE athletic shoes, identification and money were all missing. He was known to carry large amounts of cash on him, leading investigators to believe robbery was the apparent motive in the shooting.

The victim's vehicle, a 2006 Dodge Charger SXT, was found abandoned behind a vacant convenience store at 1700 West 14th. The vehicle had blood in the front and back seats, and the trunk. It appears the victim was in the driver's seat when he was shot, with the shooter directly behind him in the backseat. A shell casing was located inside the vehicle. The keys to the vehicle were found in a ditch about a block away.

Investigators learned Hernandez was a possible suspect in the murder. Following his arrest, Hernandez confessed to his role in the victim's killing. He told investigators he shot the victim so he could steal his money, car and athletic shoes. He further admitted he dumped the victim's body behind the church, and later led investigators to his bloody clothing.

Update JFC/MES 6-14-06
JFC 6-10-06
Inc #089666906

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