Florida Sentinel Bulletin

CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Nearly two week ago, on Saturday, February 6^th, two young men died after being shot at a local strip club. The shooting that took place at the Club Rayne, 8123 N. Nebraska Avenue, shortly after 2 a.m., also left 6 other club patrons injured.

The Tampa Police Department is investigating the double homicide. However, no one has been arrested and charged with the murders of 21-year-old Marvin Lancaster, III, or 20-year-old Christopher Houston.

            In addition to having to deal with the sudden and violent death of Christopher Houston, a young father and aspiring rapper, his family is trying to raise funds for his burial.

His very grief-stricken uncle, Robert Sherman seemed inconsolable and he said, “I do everything I can to help this neighborhood, and now I need help to bury my nephew, and I’m not getting it.”

Through tears, Sherman said, “People are blaming me for his death; I wish it had been me instead of him.”

Sherman said the family was hoping to having Houston’s funeral this weekend, however, they have not raised enough money and it will most likely be postponed until further notice.

Houston had walked into the club to let Sherman know family members were outside when the shooting took place. Within minutes of walking into the establishment, shots rang out.      The up and coming young rapper was struck in the back of the head by a bullet. He died as a result of his injury.

A native of Tampa, Houston was the son of Ms. Katrina Watkins and Christopher Houston. He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County.

At the time of his death, Houston was an artist with #TeamUpEnt. Having lost his brother, Sergio Smith, 21, to gun violence in March 2012, and his best friend, family and friends said Houston, 20, dedicated his music to spread awareness about gun violence.

In addition to being a rapper, the young man was also a Spoken Word Artist and enjoyed spending time with his family, including his two young children.

A GoFundMe account has also been established for Houston. Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit www.GoFundMe.com/chrishouston.