Mareja Pratt, a 16-year-old female student at Elsik High School in Houston, Texas, tragically lost her life on October 26, 2020. She was killed in a shooting incident that police believe was sparked by a "social media beef". According to her family, Mareja had been targeted on Instagram for months, enduring harassment and bullying that eventually led to the fatal confrontation.
The incident occurred in the 10800 block of Sharpview Drive, where at least 15 shots were fired.
Mareja was found dead at the scene, while two other individuals, a 20-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, were injured and hospitalized. The suspect, identified as Kenny Charles Garrett, a 24-year-old male, was arrested on November 9, 2020, after evading capture for about two weeks.
Kenny Charles Garrett was charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and deadly conduct. Surveillance footage showed Garrett exiting a red Chrysler 200, discharging his weapon, and then fleeing the scene with two women. The case is still under investigation, and the Houston Police Department has urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
The tragic death of Mareja Pratt has left her family and community heartbroken, as she was remembered as a bright and promising young girl with aspirations of attending college. The legal proceedings against Garrett are ongoing, and the court has set bail at $150,000 for the murder charge, with additional charges carrying their own bail amounts.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of online harassment and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent further tragedies. The Houston Police Department continues to investigate the incident and seeks justice for Mareja Pratt and her family.
