Slain founder of graffiti art mecca mourned

Johnathan Estes stands at Kingspoint Mullet, run by ﻿the Southern Artists Foundation. Johnathan Estes stands at Kingspoint Mullet, run by ﻿the Southern Artists Foundation. Photo: Michael Paulsen, Staff Photo: Michael Paulsen, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Slain founder of graffiti art mecca mourned 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A mural of the Virgin Mary holding a can of spray paint adorns an outside wall of Kingspoint Proper, a warehouse in southeast Houston that showcases graffiti art.

Below the image is a memorial roster of "graff brothers" with names like P-Rok, Joker and Razz. Someone added a final name at the bottom: Johnathan Estes, the owner and creator of the street art mecca who was gunned down Monday night in a homicide that remains unsolved.

"It is really sad that he's gone. It's clear that people cared about him," said Christina Eberhard, who stopped by Wednesday night to look at the graffiti art adorning the collection of buildings along the 10900 block of Kingspoint behind Almeda Mall.

Estes was found with several gunshot wounds about 10:30 p.m. Monday when Houston police officers were sent to investigate a shooting at the warehouse.

He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died the next morning, officials said.

Witnesses later told police a man was seen dragging him into the business just before the fatal gunshot. Family members said they had been told by police Estes was shot as part of a robbery.

"We don't know the full story yet. We're going to wait and see what happens," said Lisa Estes, his niece. She remembered him as an "awesome uncle" who doted on his young family members.

"He used to go to a fireworks stand and buy the whole stand for us," Estes said. "He was a fun guy."

She said he often hosted parties that would include everyone from graffiti artists to members of Houston's business community. "They were all from different worlds but he made them come together," she said. "He was just loved by so many people."

Eberhard said Estes gave street artists a space where they could exhibit their creativity without legal problems.

"They were given the right to+ be an artist," she said. Estes began his career underground in the '80s when he was 14.

Lisa Estes said family members are hoping to get more information about the investigation on Friday, when they speak with Houston police detectives. "We would love to have justice," she said.

Lisa Estes said plans for a funeral are pending. On Wednesday, her uncle's body was still at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

She said Johnathan Estes' mother wants to have a memorial service. "She knows he was loved by many people. She wants them to have a chance to show their respect," Lisa Estes said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.