By Nicholas Stix
At 12:30 a.m. last Sunday, Samuel Irick, 24, defended a mother of three from an armed robber at a Chevron station in the 4600 block of Beechnut Street, in the West Loop/Meyerland area of Southwestern Houston, and paid with his life. Irick’s murderer is still at large and nameless, though the latter’s face has been captured on a surveillance tape, and broadcast throughout the Houston area, and via the Internet, around the world.
Due to the dangerous area, the station locks its door at midnight, requiring that customers use a service window. The killer had been waiting by the service window, when mother of three Amberley Wait came up. He spoke to her, then suddenly stuck a gun in her gut. Irick, who had just gotten in line behind Wait, apparently hadn’t seen the gun. The killer immediately shot Irick in the abdomen, and made off with Wait’s purse.
The Wait family has added $5,000 to the Crime Stoppers reward for information leading to the killer’s arrest, bringing the total to $10,000. Jeb and Amberley Wait are the parents of a nine-month old girl, a three-year-old boy, and a six-year-old girl.
Sam Irick attended college full-time, worked full-time, and maintained a straight-A average. His mother, Randi Wood, said that her son had stood up to bullies and thugs on behalf of their victims all his life. She told KHOU reporter Rucks Russell,
Everyone that met Sam, from the time he was little, he made an impression on them. He really did. From his coaches to his teachers … People loved him. He was a giving, loving person. And it doesn’t surprise me that he tried to help this lady. I just can’t believe it ended like this….
I’d just like to say I loved my son and I really don’t want another mother to go through what I’m going through so anyone out there that knows anything about this murder it would … please come forward.
The entire crime was caught by the gas station’s video camera; the killer’s black face is clearly identifiable.
Samuel Irick was white, as is Jeb Wait.
“Family: Good Samaritan shot to death at gas station saved a mother of 3,” by KHOU.com staff, November 12, 2010.
Thanks to my reader-researcher RC, for sending this saddening, enraging story.
This killing is similar to the recent murder of Ryan Lekosky in NOLA. Like Irick, Lekosky was killed while defending a woman (his wife) from a pathological black.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up. I'll look into the Lekosky case.
ReplyDeleteSamuel Irick is the 12th cousin of yet another hero, Gary Michael Joy!
ReplyDeleteSamuel Irick is the 10th cousin once removed to yet another hero, Randall Kent Burris! I cannot believe so many heroes are related to one another! That is a crazy world!
ReplyDeleteCheck the heroic stance of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) regarding Sen. Claire McCaskill's disloyalty.
ReplyDeletehttp://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/129033-missouri-democrat-warns-mccaskill-against-disloyalty-to-obama
Also check the hero's bio in comments.
Amberley Wait is at home with her husband and their three young children. Why was she out in a crime ridden black neighborhood shopping after midnight. She is partially responsible for Sam Irick's death.
ReplyDeleteUmmmm the neighborhood is not a "crime ridden black" one dumbass. I have lived here the past 20 yrs and besides River Oaks and West University, Bellaire is a highly "white" neighborhood. Sam lived in my neighborhood and even though i didnt know him personally, he was always kind and would say "hi". He lived among blacks, whites, asians, and hispanics and did not use that as his basis on who to talk and not talk to. I am extremely pissed about his death and have been spreading the news to be on the lookout for his killer to anyone who will listen, but please check you facts before posting BS anywhere. May he rest in peace and hopefully his kindness can touch others to follow in his example.
ReplyDeleteThe neighborhood where his heinous crime was committed is a safe and affluent one which is why Sam and Amberley probably felt safe filling up their vehicles close to midnight. Don't blame the neighborhood. Blame the criminal who stole the precious life of a gentleman and ruined many others.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Samuel would appreciate the author dragging the race issue into this. Irick was a man of Christ and was just trying to do the right thing. Please, stop projecting your race baiting fears onto this event. It is uncalled for. This event is tragic enough as it is and you do the memory of this noble, young man as well as both families such an injustice.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11/13 9:53, 10:07 p.m.: Where on Earth did you come up with that stuff?
ReplyDeleteNov 14, 2010 5:03:00 PM EST Anon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the background.
Thanks, Salane.
ReplyDeleteSamuel Irick has the claim to fame,
ReplyDeletehe is the 2nd cousin, nine times removed of the man with the highest rank in military history, George Washington, the General of the Armies of the United States!
Nicholas Stix, I did some research to the relationship of Sam Irick and other heroes on ancestry.com
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to his family and friends. I just pray that justice is served and I pray that the killer gets the death penalty or life in prison. That man is crazy and he is a cold-blooded killer. If he was out on the streets he would kill, steal, and rob again.
ReplyDeleteSamual Irick was one of my good friends that i worked right next to.. he was a wonderful person and would give the shirt off his back. the funeral was hard but everyone there knew he is a hero. i will miss him dearly and my love goes out to his whole family. i hope the man who did this gets whats he deserves!! R.I.P. Sam Irick you will be missed.. its hard not seeing you anymore. everyone at work misses you and we talk about you all the time.. Our love goes out!
ReplyDeleteAnon, Monday, November 15, 2010 10:30:00 PM EST
ReplyDeleteDear Anon,
I don't think Sam Irick would appreciate your lying about the circumstances of his death, or his religious faith (to my knowledge, neither his mother nor anyone else said he was a devout Christian). You're not doing the families any favors, not to mention that you give Christianity a black eye.
The truth shall set you free, brother. Go forth, and lie no more.
Sam Irick, the hero, might be the distant cousin of Conway Irick, the man from Colorado.
ReplyDelete