His family believes he was shot and crash his car while trying to drive away.
HOUSTON — A heartbroken Houston family is pleading for your help Thursday night.
Tony Maximus “Max” De La O was found shot to death in a car on Monday afternoon. Police believe he was trying to drive away from where he had been shot. There are more questions than answers about how the 18-year-old died.
Max’s family said they’re confused as to why he would’ve even been in the southeast neighborhood where he was found shot on Monday.
They’re asking for your help to find out who is responsible for killing him two days after his 18th birthday.
Videos and photos are how Alixus De La O chooses to remember her baby brother.
“[He had] such a beautiful heart and a beautiful soul. Ask somebody. Tony Maximus De La O Jr., he was everything,” Alixus said.
Max is seen smiling in a number of photos shared by his family and some are from his 18th birthday on Saturday. They also shared a video of them praying for his future, which his family said was ripped from him two days later.
“Who killed Max? Who killed him? Like he was a baby. Who killed him?” Max’s sister Kasandra said.
Houston police said they made their way to a southeast neighborhood on Monday afternoon for a shooting call. They said they found a man unresponsive and suffered at least one gunshot wound. Max’s family said it was him.
Officials believe he was trying to get away from where he was shot and the car he was in found crashed into the wall of a duplex.
“I’d give my last breath just to know who took his,” Kasandra said.
Max was a senior in high school, an athlete, and a ROTC student who hoped to join the Army. His niece, nephew, and love of his life were also devastated by his death.
“It really hurts that someone took him from us. It really wasn’t his time yet. It really wasn’t he had a life to live,” Max’s niece Kylie Torres said.
“My only uncle, well, my closest uncle [Max] has died. Just because someone wanted to bring out a gun and shoot him,” Max’s nephew Jaylen Hernandez said.
“They took my love away. They took my future. They took everything from me,” Max’s girlfriend Aislynn Martinez said.
Now, a sea of family and friends gather off Hollock Street where Max was found on Monday. For the past four days, they’ve been asking anyone in the area if they know anything.
Until answers come they continue to build a growing tribute with flowers, candles, and memories.
“What if it was your baby brother, your son, your friend, your lover? Would you want someone to come forward,” Alixus asked.
Police are looking for any answers as to who shot Max and why. If you know something police want to remind you, you can remain anonymous. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.