Texas teen walking home from work shot in face, dies

HOUSTON -- A Texas teenager died after he was shot at point-blank range in the face Sunday morning while walking home from work in northwest Houston.

Family members identified the victim as 19-year-old Rikko Valencia. Police say he was shot when he cut through the Springwood Baptist Church parking lot on his walk home from work at a Whataburger restaurant around 4:30 a.m.

At some point before 7 a.m., a church member opening the church in the 10000 block of Emnora Lane found his body in the parking lot.

Valencia's friends erected flowers in his honor, remembering a kid who loved his XBox and could be counted for when it mattered.

"I don't understand why people are turning in what they are nowadays," said the victim's friend.

"They should turn themselves in and be punished. He didn't deserve to die. Not like that," said family friend Yolanda Ordunia.

Robbery is not suspected because Valencia still had his cell phone, wallet and a couple of bags.

Police have no witnesses and are asking for public's help. Anyone with information is asked to call Houston police.

The Springwood Baptist Church is closed at this time.