Just weeks after 18-year-old Gregory Warren moved to Houston in search of a fresh start, his life was violently cut short in what his family is calling “a very selfish act.” Now, nearly two months after the fatal shooting near Texas Southern University, an arrest has been made—but for Warren’s loved ones, the pain is far from over.
On April 9, authorities discovered Warren dead inside the driver’s seat of a car parked near Rosewood and Ennis streets. The shooting triggered a temporary lockdown at Texas Southern University and several nearby schools, rattling the surrounding Third Ward community.
The accused, 31-year-old Abraham Jackson, was arrested and charged with murder in connection to Warren’s death. Prosecutors allege Jackson used FaceTime to arrange a cannabis deal with Warren, only to turn the meeting into a deadly ambush. According to court documents, Jackson got into the back seat of the car, then fired shots that struck Warren in the head and neck. He allegedly fled the scene with an accomplice, carrying off a backpack and a trash bag filled with a heavy object—raising suspicion that robbery may have been part of the motive.
Jackson’s bond has been set at $250,000. During his court appearance, his attorney pushed for a significant reduction in bail, citing his family life, employment at a church, and a clean attendance record at previous court hearings. The judge, however, refused to lower the bond, emphasizing Jackson’s prior criminal history and the violent nature of the alleged offense.
“I still recognize the inherent danger presented by a person who shows up to a weed deal with a gun and a person ends up dead,” the magistrate judge said firmly in court.
Court records reveal that Jackson is currently on felony probation for aggravated robbery and previously served 15 years in prison. Prosecutors warned that the case might be upgraded to capital murder depending on further developments.
For Gregory Warren’s grieving family, the court proceedings are just one part of a larger nightmare. Still reeling from the shock of his death, they described Warren as a bright, kind-hearted young man with a contagious spirit who deeply loved his family—especially his sisters.
“It feels like a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” said his sister, Tierra Pearson. “I just want him to be remembered as that big spirit, kind heart, [who] would go out of his way for anybody. He loved his family, loved his sisters.”
His father, Gregory Deshawn Warren Sr., echoed those sentiments, explaining that Warren had only just turned 18 and moved to Houston to begin a new chapter of his life. “It was supposed to be a pleasant time for him,” he said. “He got robbed of that.”
What makes the tragedy even more devastating is what happened just days later. Warren’s mother, Tina Davis, passed away only a week after her son’s death. The family believes the heartbreak of losing her child contributed directly to her sudden decline.
“He killed my mom, too,” said Sarea Warren, Gregory’s other sister. “Because my mom died of a heartbreak.”
The compounded loss has left the family emotionally wrecked but fiercely determined to see justice served. While they expressed relief that Jackson is now in custody, they say it does little to ease the pain they carry daily.
“It’s good news that you guys have him in custody,” said his stepmother, Loralene Warren. “But it’s so bittersweet, because it’s still so sad, and nothing’s going to take the pain away. I feel like this was a very selfish act, and it was very unfair.”
The Warrens say they’ll be closely following the upcoming court proceedings. For them, being present in the courtroom is not just about seeking justice—it’s about making sure Jackson sees the faces of those forever changed by his alleged actions.
“He will have to sit there and look at our faces in court,” said Pearson.
As the legal process unfolds, the community around Texas Southern University continues to grapple with the impact of the violence that unfolded just blocks away. The case has reignited conversations about safety, youth vulnerability, and the need for stronger support systems for young people navigating the pressures of urban life.
Meanwhile, Warren’s family is left holding on to memories of a life full of promise. Their heartbreak is now compounded by the responsibility of turning their pain into a public call for justice—one court hearing at a time.
Jackson is due back in court on Monday, June 9.
