Sam Houston Tollway shooting victim’s family thinks he may have agitated suspect for driving slow

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The family of a man killed in a suspected road rage shooting on the freeway on Monday is desperately seeking answers.

Fredy Alexander Amaya, known to his family as Alex, died from a gunshot wound to the head, as confirmed by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

His family is devastated by the loss. “Everybody is shattered. Everybody is heartbroken. We can’t find any understanding of why someone would do such a senseless, violent crime to someone who was so peaceful and kind to everybody,” his brother, Daniel Amaya, told from his home in Virginia.

The family is traveling to Houston on Saturday to arrange the funeral. “It shouldn’t be like this. He was a good person. He didn’t deserve this,” Daniel said.

Alex was found shot to death inside his car on the ramp connecting the North Beltway and the North Freeway northbound at around 6:30 p.m.

First responders were initially dispatched to a single-car crash but discovered a murder upon arrival.

Houston police informed his family that they are investigating the incident as a possible road rage case. “He didn’t like to violate the law. He really drives the speed limit and I’m thinking if it was road rage, maybe someone got upset because he was driving too slow,” Daniel speculated.

Alex had just finished work when the incident occurred. His red Volvo, which he proudly bought last year, had five bullet holes.

Houston police have not released any suspect descriptions, according to a press release.

Daniel described his 46-year-old brother as kind and hardworking. He has two appeals: one for the perpetrator and one for any witnesses.

“Turn yourself in. It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “This person cannot be out there, free-roaming the streets and killing innocent people. Somebody had to have seen something. Please come forward.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Alex’s funeral.