Shooting victim makes final phone call

HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Houston homicide victim placed a cell phone call to a friend saying "They're trying to jack me" just before he was shot.

Jose De La Garza ran outside and found Alex Morales taking his last breath, the Houston Chronicle reported. Morales had been shot twice in the head.

Investigators say Morales was probably killed by someone who wanted the expensive wheels he had put on his truck. Homicide investigator B.D. Evans told the newspaper the wheels are worth up to $5,000.

Morales, in his final telephone call, told De La Garza that a driver -- also in a pickup truck -- was threatening him. Witnesses said a truck appeared to be trying to force Morales off the road.

"He never tried to start any trouble with anybody," said De La Garza, who lived in the same apartment complex as Morales. "He was a good guy, he had his beautiful little girl and was going to school. It's just a tragedy that this happened to him."