Executive Summary
- James Tolen was fatally shot Tuesday night at Riverside Park in Houston during an attempted carjacking.
- Police report two masked men forced Tolen and a friend from their vehicle before a struggle ensued over the car keys.
- The suspects remain at large, and the Houston Police Department is soliciting tips from the public.
- Fiancée Krystal Carter is planning a gun violence awareness event in Tolen’s honor.
HOUSTON — A Houston man was shot and killed Tuesday night during a struggle with armed suspects during an attempted carjacking at a park in the Third Ward, according to the Houston Police Department.
Investigators report that the victim, identified as James Tolen, was sitting in a vehicle with a friend at Riverside Park when two masked men approached the car. Police state that the suspects forced both occupants out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
According to police findings, Tolen and his companion attempted to walk away from the scene, but the suspects realized the friend still possessed the car keys and pursued them. Police said a physical altercation ensued between Tolen and the suspects, resulting in Tolen sustaining fatal gunshot wounds.
The victim’s fiancée, Krystal Carter, told reporters she became alarmed when Tolen did not respond to her calls or text messages. She confirmed that the medical examiner’s office notified her of his death the following morning. Carter noted that the couple was set to celebrate their seventh anniversary on February 4 and urged the public to provide information to authorities.
Investigative Outlook
The Houston Police Department is currently conducting a homicide investigation and searching for the two unidentified suspects. This incident underscores the volatility of armed carjackings and the public safety challenges facing the Third Ward community. With the perpetrators still at large, investigators are relying on forensic evidence and community tips to advance the case. Authorities encourage anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers, emphasizing that public assistance is critical in locating the individuals responsible.
