'This was not road rage' | Texas man accused of fatally shooting 5-year-old girl after targeting wrong vehicle

To stream FOX61 on your phone, you need the FOX61 app. Example video title will go here for this video HOUSTON — Family members, friends and supporters gathered Monday night to remember 5-year-old Zah’Layah Walton , who was killed in what investigators say was a case of mistaken identity. Zah’Layah was riding with her mother and siblings Saturday night when a man in a pickup truck opened fire on their car in northwest Harris County, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Zah’Layah and her family were not the intended targets.

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Scoop News DeskTexas · Published Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 2:44 PM UTCUpdated Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 3:03 PM UTC

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1 dead — in what investigators say He is charged with capital murder and remains jailed without bond, according to court records. Hicks said Zah’Layah had been talking about what she wanted to eat when they arrived home. “My baby was like, ‘Mommy, can I have a Hot Pocket when I get home?’” Hicks said. “And the last thing I said was, ‘Yes.’” Instead, Hicks said, her daughter was fatally wounded. “I ask God, why did he take my baby instead of me?” Hicks said. “I wouldn’t wish this pain on anybody.” Authorities arrested 47-year-old Jeremy Porter after the shooting.

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