Cypress Plaza Parkway murder: Family seeks answers for loved one allegedly shot by friend's estranged husband

CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) – Harris County investigators say a woman tried to escape her estranged husband, but the same man is accused of shooting her friend.

It is a murder that ABC13 first reported on in Cypress Plaza Parkway at the end of July. Now the family of the murdered Clifton Johnson wants justice.

Johnson's accused murderer Kerri Cunningham is in prison on $200,000 bail for capital crimes

“My family is devastated and we are still devastated,” said Johnson's sister Sheila Hollie.

Hollie remembers Johnson as a man with an infectious smile, an optimistic heart and a willingness to help others.

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“He was a ray of light and even though he is gone, he is still here in my heart and the hearts of his daughters,” Hollie said.

The father's life was ended at the hands of a man who investigators believe was the estranged husband of his girlfriend, whom he was visiting from Florida.

“He never mentioned the possibility of an estranged husband or even that such an act of violence had occurred,” Hollie said.

In late July, investigators were called to the Alys Crossing Apartments on Cypress Plaza Parkway after Johnson was allegedly shot by Cunningham.

Harris County Sheriff's officials say Cunningham tried to render aid when they arrived on the scene. But they say it all started when Cunningham kicked in the door to his estranged wife's apartment and found Johnson. They reportedly began fighting, and eventually Cunningham allegedly shot Johnson in the face.

“You killed a great man. And while you may have chosen to make a temporary problem a permanent solution, we will seek justice and you will pay for your crime,” Hollie said.

The family is seeking justice and at the same time wants answers to the question of why this incident happened in the first place.

Cunningham is due back in court in October.

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