HOUSTON — A promising young athlete’s life was tragically cut short just days after achieving a significant milestone. Kenneth “Trae” Leaks III, an 18-year-old graduate of Manvel High School, was fatally shot four days post-graduation, leaving his family and community seeking answers and justice.
Photos and mementos celebrating Trae’s accomplishments adorn the walls of his family home, now a poignant reminder of his bright future. His aunt, Naya Merchant, described him as a determined individual whose perseverance made him a role model. “Whatever he set his mind to, he was going to achieve it,” she said.
Trae had recently secured a full athletic scholarship to Sterling College in Kansas, a crowning achievement for someone who was the first in his family to graduate high school. His family expressed immense pride in his accomplishments and held high hopes for his upcoming college experience, which was only weeks away.
The joyous atmosphere turned somber on May 24, when Merchant received devastating news. “We got a call that he had been shot,” she recounted, overwhelmed with grief.
Investigators from the Houston Police Department reported that Trae was sitting in a car at an apartment complex near North Braesewood Boulevard, waiting to meet someone, when he was approached by multiple assailants who opened fire. The assailant remains unidentified and at large.
Merchant voiced the anguish of the family, saying, “We want answers. We want justice to be served.” Loved ones are calling on the public for any information related to the shooting, urging them to reach out to authorities or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
In a poignant message directed at the person responsible for Trae’s death, Merchant expressed a desire for reconciliation. “I would say first, I forgive you. Forgiveness is more for me than it is for you,” she stated. “But I pray that you would turn yourself in — just take accountability for your actions.”
A memorial service for Trae is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at The Church on MastersRoad in Manvel. As the family navigates this painful time, they are also working to raise funds for the funeral expenses, facing yet another hurdle in their grief.