Two employees at a northeast Houston restaurant were honored by Houston City Council this week for their actions during a shooting that injured three people last month.
David Davis and Shavonne Gordon, employees at Chicken Plus, were recognized Tuesday after Houston police said a man armed with a rifle opened fire on passing vehicles near North Wayside Drive and St. Louis Street on Aug. 14.
Police identified the suspect as 45-year-old Demetri Thomas. Three people were shot in the incident but are all doing OK, according to Houston police.
Davis said he could not stand by while people were in danger.
“The way he was shooting that gun and shooting at those people, I just couldn’t let him continue to shoot like that, just innocent people, just random people,” Davis said.
Davis is credited with warning oncoming drivers to turn around and get away while Thomas was still firing at vehicles.
His actions led to a special recognition Tuesday at Houston City Hall, where the Houston City Council presented him with a proclamation honoring his heroism and courage.
“His actions reflect the very best qualities of a Houstonian: courage in the face of danger, compassion for others, quick thinking in a moment of crisis and a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of his fellow citizens,” Houston City Councilmember Edward Pollard said during the presentation. “Heroes are defined by the choices they make when others are in need, and when their community needs them most.”
Davis said he got a call a few days before the presentation and was told he would be honored.
“It was exciting. I was a little shaky and scared, because I have never been to City Hall and being in front of important people like that, and having them honor me,” Davis said. “It feels good, but I just did what was on my heart. But if the people want to call me a hero, then I’m the hero, but other than that, I was just doing what was right.”
Davis said Gordon also stepped up to help protect people from the gunfire.
“He said, ‘Hey, we’re going together, because you helped me to get noticed by everybody, so I just think that people should know that it wasn’t just me. It was both of us,’ so for him to really think about me like that, I really appreciate it,” Gordon said.
Gordon was also honored by the city.
Responding officers on the day of the incident eventually shot Thomas after police said he refused to put down his weapon.
Thomas appeared in court for the first time Friday. He was in a wheelchair during the hearing.
He is charged with four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A judge denied Thomas bond, siding with the state despite his defense attorney arguing that he is not a flight risk.
“He was clearly having some sort of mental episode at the time that this happened. He’s now in a wheelchair. He has tremendous injuries, physical injuries,” defense attorney Sylvia Escobedo said. “He is a human being, and sometimes what may or may not happen on one specific incident is not reflective of who that person is.”
Still, Davis said Thomas should still be held accountable for what happened.
“He could have killed multiple people and families, not just my family, his family, anybody’s family. I mean, justice needs to prevail for that,” Davis said.
Thomas remains in jail without bond. He is expected back in court next month on Oct. 8.
