‘Get ready for 500 murders’

HOUSTON, Texas HPD Chief Art Acevedo made a grim proclamation for the city of Houston on Tuesday: “Get ready for 500 murders,” Acevedo said during an afternoon news conference at HPD headquarters.

Acevedo acknowledges that its strategy to combat homicides in Houston is not working, which in turn results in a record year for homicides: “Get ready for 500 murders at the rate it goes.”

When KPRC 2 reminded Mario Diaz that the increase in murders was taking place under his watch, Acevedo said, ‘Okay, it’s under my watch, Mario and I will be gone, and bring the best head, bring in a head. … but I have a prediction. Channel 2 Investigates upset Acevedo over his response, saying, “But Miami says you’re the best chief?” The question was the result of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s statement Monday: “I think it’s like getting the Tom Brady or Michael Jordan from police chiefs.”

Acevedo’s reaction?

“You know Mario, I’m done with you. Actually, I’ve been with you my whole life. Thank the Lord. “

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Acevedo was in no mood to address difficult questions regarding the conspicuous murders during his tenure. Houston has seen a meteoric rise of more than 500 since the beginning of 2020, and some have questioned whether Acevedo’s departure to the much smaller city of Miami is merely a captain.

‘Let me tell you something. “In the first place, the fight against crime is not the issue,” said Acevedo.

Acevedo blames the revolving door for the Harris County justice system for nearly two minutes, blaming judges for the murders, declaring that they are not working hard enough and putting criminals back on the streets.

It is said that two murders from Acevedo’s tenure stand out the most. It is the shooting death of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas by HPD in the deadly raid in Harding Street.

Asked how challenging it would be for Acevedo to leave Houston knowing that Harding Street would remain unfinished? Acevedo said: “I will return to Harding Street because it happened on my watch.”

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Watch the video below to hear John Nicholas, brother of Rhogena Nicholas, talk about Acevedo’s departure.