TEXAS CITY, Texas — A community is in mourning after a father and his teenage son died after a shooting at their home in Texas City early Monday.

The Texas City Police Department responded to the heartbreaking scene on 10th Avenue North near 3rd Street North around 1:20 a.m.

They say a 15-year-old boy shot and killed his older brother in what appears to be an accident. Their father tried to save his son but collapsed and died from an medical episode while performing life-saving measures, police said.

The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Joshua Gonzales, 17, and his dad Jay Gonzales, 41.

Investigators questioned the 15-year-old and referred the case to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office to determine if charges should be filed.

“I don’t think he deserves any charges — he’s already fiving to go through a lot and he has to live with that the rest of his life,” the father’s business partner Melo Salazar told KHOU 11. 

The Texas City Independent School District confirmed that the victim was a student there and they are “devastated at this loss.”

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, and our thoughts are with the family and all those who cared for them during this difficult time,” TCISD said in a statement. “The well-being of our students and staff is our top priority, and we have made counselors available to provide support to anyone who needs help processing their grief. Together, we will work to support our school community as we navigate this loss.”

Co-workers at Artistic Image Tattoos told KHOU 11 that Jay Gonzales was a tattoo artist loved by many because he always stepped up to help the community.

“Most of all, besides just a tattoo artist and a business partner, he was a human being and he was a damn good one,” Salazar said. “He did everything for the community — fundraisers, school drives. I’m sorry, I mean, it’s pretty hard. Man, he went the extra mile if he could, man.”

Gonzales often shared examples of his work on his Facebook page. 

“Anybody that knew him, I don’t have to say that if they knew him, they loved him — he’ll give the shirt off his back,” Salazar said.

An autopsy is being done to determine Gonzales’ cause of death.

Jason Miles on social media: Facebook | X | Instagram