HOUSTON — A tragic shooting unfolded early Sunday at a large gathering in a southeast Houston neighborhood, leaving one person dead and 15 others injured. Authorities report that the violence erupted when an uninvited guest was asked to leave the home where the party was being held.
In a statement from the Houston Police Department, it was revealed that the deceased is an 18-year-old man who succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The range of the wounded survivors spans from teens to adults in their 40s, underscoring the scene’s chaotic nature. Several individuals were briefly detained for questioning but have since been released.
Emergency responders received calls about gunfire starting around 12:50 a.m., prompting police to arrive quickly on the scene. Assistant Police Chief Patricia Cantu reported that officers were greeted by a barrage of gunfire upon arrival, with multiple victims found injured outside the residence.
Cantu explained that the celebration was disrupted when a guest, who had not been invited, initiated the shooting. In the ensuing chaos, others at the party also fired their weapons in self-defense. Video footage captured by witnesses showed the aftermath: tables and chairs were overturned, scattered belongings littered the ground, and remnants of the party, including uneaten cake and water bottles, lay abandoned.
As the investigation progressed, the Houston Fire Department took swift action to treat victims, setting up in the parking lot of a neighboring restaurant. While one person was confirmed dead at the hospital, officials noted that multiple injured individuals were in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
Several victims chose to take themselves to area hospitals, complicating the situation further, according to Cantu. She described the scene as chaotic, with medical personnel working to triage the injured amid ongoing uncertainty.
While the investigation is ongoing, there have been no updates on the conditions of the wounded. Police have withheld the identity of the deceased man until his family has been notified. The department continues to seek information regarding the suspect and urges anyone with details about the incident to come forward.
This incident raises concerns about safety at community gatherings and the impacts of gun violence in the city. As authorities navigate the complex aftermath, the local community is left to grapple with the consequences of this tragic event.