HOUSTON — A mass shooting at a house party early Sunday in southeast Houston left one person dead and 13 others injured, marking a tragic end to a family celebration. The incident erupted shortly after an uninvited guest was asked to leave, prompting a violent altercation.
The Houston Police Department began receiving emergency calls reporting gunfire at approximately 12:50 a.m. Officers responded quickly and encountered a chaotic scene, with multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds both indoors and outside the venue.
“It was complete chaos from the start,” Assistant Police Chief Patricia Cantu said at a morning briefing. “Officers arrived to find several individuals injured and in need of immediate assistance.”
Investigators believe the suspect, identified as an unwelcome attendee, became aggressive when confronted and opened fire on the party-goers. Cantu noted that the situation escalated further when other guests, realizing they were under attack, returned fire, intensifying the scene of mayhem.
Footage from the site depicted overturned tables, scattered chairs, and remnants of the celebration, including food and drinks left behind, underscoring the sudden shift from joy to tragedy.
The Houston Fire Department provided aid to some victims in a nearby restaurant parking lot, while others made their way to hospitals for treatment. As of Sunday morning, officials confirmed one death, with several individuals reported in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
In the aftermath of the incident, police detained several people for questioning but have not confirmed whether any arrests have been made, including that of the suspected shooter. Cantu remarked on the ongoing investigation, emphasizing that they are still working to identify the individual responsible for the gunfire.
Police spokesperson Jody Silva reiterated that no arrests had been confirmed as of the latest updates. Investigators continue to canvass the area, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together events leading up to the shooting.
“This is a very complicated case,” Cantu stated, citing the chaos and the number of witnesses involved as significant factors that will influence the investigation’s progress. The community remains shaken as authorities seek to bring clarity to a situation that turned a festive gathering into a scene of violence.