Houston Teacher Killed Trying To Allegedly Save Friend From DV
Rookie Teacher Of The Year And Her Dog Murdered While Allegedly Saving Friend From Domestic Dispute, Suspect At Large
Houston police are hunting for a fugitive who reportedly fatally shot a woman and her dog Saturday, Sept. 9, while she attempted to rescue her friend from a domestic dispute.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office press release and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez’s X account, deputies were dispatched to an apartment complex located at 2323 E Mossy Oaks at 6 a.m. after receiving a call from a woman about her friend being shot.
Police arrived at the scene and saw 26-year-old Shantavia Reddick deceased with gunshot wounds. According to Gonzalez’s updates, Reddick reached the apartment with her dog to help her friend in a domestic disturbance. When Reddick made contact with the friend, 28-year-old Dimitri Humphrey, with whom the friend had a domestic situation, he shot Reddick and her dog but not his girlfriend.
“Reddick saved her friend’s life, giving her own,” Gonzalez said, adding, “Obviously making a huge impact in our community and taken far too soon at only 26 years old.”
Before police arrived, Humphrey fled the scene in a white Jeep Wrangler with the Texas license plate number TFN-4278.
Police still need to catch the fugitive and ask those with any information on Humphrey’s whereabouts to contact them at 713-274-9100. They can also call Houston’s Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477), report it online or use the Houston Crime Stopper’s mobile app.
Gonzalez also warned the public about aiding a fugitive.
“Think twice before you decide to help a Texas fugitive: If you’re found helping someone commit, conceal, or elude from a felony, YOU yourself may be subjected to being charged,” the sheriff’s warning read.
Besides a hero, Reddick graduated from Prairie View A&M University and obtained her master’s from Texas Southern University. She worked as a third-grade teacher at Smith Elementary School, earning Rookie Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.
The Spring Independent School District released a statement regarding Reddick’s death.
“Spring ISD is deeply saddened about the passing of one of our 3rd-grade teachers, Ms. Shantavia Reddick,” the district wrote, according to KHOU 11. “Ms. Reddick, who had been with Spring ISD since 2020, was a beloved team member at Smith Elementary School. This is a deep loss for not only Spring ISD but to public education as a whole. Our hearts are with her family at this very difficult time.”
Reddick’s students and colleagues were devastated after learning of her death.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE (7233)) if you or anyone you know is in a domestic situation.
