Ernest Smith, a 39-year-old Black man, tragically died on May 29, 2019, from a gunshot wound at a north Houston hotel. He was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound after a disturbance was reported around 2:15 a.m. Witnesses reported hearing arguing and seeing Smith and two other men fighting before he was shot. Smith was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Following the incident, police launched an investigation to identify the shooter.
On February 1, 2022, Bertrel Antonio Holt, Jr., a 28-year-old suspect, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with Smith's death. Holt was identified as a suspect through further investigation, and a murder charge was filed against him in the 482nd State District Court.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Houston Police Department to address violent crimes and bring justice to victims and their families. The arrest and charges against Holt demonstrate the commitment to solving such cases, even if it takes several years to gather sufficient evidence and identify the responsible parties.
