KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
March 24, 2025
By Natalie Cook Clark
The community still mourns the shooting death of a Katy-area grandfather. The suspect was wanted in Harris County at the time he was granted five probations in Florida. The case, like many recently, show a clear breakdown of the system and a Katy resident and victims advocate is fighting for change.
Pictures courtesty of Andy Kahan.
Katy Grandfather Killed Buying Grandkids Happy Meals
On March 16, 2025, Jorge Arbaiza, 61, went to buy his grandchildren Happy Meals at a Katy-area McDonald’s on Fry Road near Little York. He ended up dying from gunshot wounds he sustained during a shootout.
The Suspect Should Never Have Been Out
The suspect, Antoine Ridge, 24, was apprehended by Harris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team and, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, charged with murder.
Even more disturbing than the fact that an innocent man lost his life, is the fact that the suspect should not have been out on the streets to begin with.
Ridge has been a wanted fugitive for Felony Assault since 2023. He was on five probations in Florida of which three were for Felony’s since the summer of 2024.
“Think about this,” Andy Kahan stresses. “He was wanted in Harris County at the same time he was granted 5 Probations in Florida and remained wanted while he was on probation. This should never have happened.”
Long-time Katy resident Andy Kahan serves as the Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers Houston. He also serves on the State Commission on Judicial Conduct as appointed by Governor Abbott. His term goes through November 19, 2027.
At the capital, Kahan spends time testifying on the importance of change in favor of bills like the SB 990, where the senate committee recommended expanding the death penalty eligibility for child murder.
Working on Change
Kahan recently testified along with Alexis Nungaray and April Aguirre as they worked to secure the bill passing.
“I testified about 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham,” says Kahan. “I’m tired of naming bills after dead kids.”
While cases, like last week’s murder of Jorge Arbaiza, makes the situation seem dire, Kahan says that they have seen some upside lately.
“Recent bill reforms have eliminated certain violent crimes from being released on a PR bond,” explains Kahan.
Kahan stresses that it is crucial for the public to watch what is happening and reach out to representatives to make sure they are voting for change.
Kahan fights for the rights and closure of victims. He does this through his role with Crime Stoppers, which he has held for almost seven years. The public needs to also be involved and educated on the issues for change to happen.
Andy Kahan of Katy is the Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers Houston. He is a board member of Parents of Murdered Children and Surviving Family Members of Homicide and Texas EquuSearch, member of the Harris Law Enforcement Advisory Council and the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council, and a member and presenter of the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Additionally, he is a former board member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, served 18 years as a Victim Advocate in the Mayor's Office under five Mayoral Administrations in Houston, and for eight years served as a Victim Advocate for the Houston Police Department.