A family gathering in southeast Houston ended in tragedy after gunfire erupted early Sunday morning, leaving one person dead and at least 14 others injured. According to authorities, the violence began when an uninvited guest opened fire after being asked to leave the party.
Shooting Breaks Out at Family Party
The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 4, at a home on Cherry Hills Road. Assistant Police Chief Patricia Cantu of the Houston Police Department (HPD) said multiple 911 calls reported a shooting in progress at a house party.
Witnesses say the suspect, who has not been identified publicly, was told to leave the party and responded by firing a weapon. In response, other attendees reportedly pulled out their own firearms and returned fire, creating a dangerous and chaotic scene.
Police Respond Amid Active Gunfire
When officers arrived, they could still hear shots being fired and saw people with injuries scattered around the property. HPD quickly created a plan to move the injured to a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant parking lot for emergency medical treatment.
Houston Fire Department paramedics joined police at the scene and began caring for the wounded. Some of the injured were taken by ambulance to hospitals, while others drove themselves to get help. As of now, one person has died, several are in critical condition and undergoing surgery, and others are recovering with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witness Describes Terrifying Scene
Brandon Angel, who was attending the party, described the horrifying moment the gunfire began. “You just see a lot of people start scattering, people on the floor, everybody trying to get cover, people pushing other people,” he told ABC 13.
Angel says he was stopped and detained by police after fleeing the scene and waiting for his brother at a nearby store. Police have detained several people for questioning but had made no arrests as of 12 hours after the shooting.
Investigation Still Ongoing
Police spokesperson Jodi Silva confirmed that the investigation is still active and complex due to the number of people involved and the ongoing nature of the incident when officers arrived. Authorities are now urging anyone who was at the party or went to the hospital with injuries to come forward and speak with detectives.
Those with information are asked to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS (8477).