One person died and 15 others were injured when a shooting erupted at a family barbecue in Houston, Texas, after an uninvited guest was asked to leave the gathering. The violent incident took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 4, in the Mayfair area of southeast Houston.
Houston Police Department officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire at approximately 12:50 a.m. at a residence on the 6000 block of Cherryhill Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene within three minutes, they reported that gunfire was still active.
Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu described a chaotic situation during a press conference following the incident. “It’s still very complicated. It was chaotic from the get-go,” Cantu told reporters.
According to police investigators, the violence began when an uninvited guest arrived at what had been a family gathering. Witness accounts indicate that the individual was asked to leave the premises. As the uninvited person was departing, they began firing a weapon, which prompted others at the residence to return fire.
Officers at the scene coordinated an emergency triage area in the parking lot of a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant to begin treating and transporting victims. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the location to provide medical assistance, but police continued to receive reports of ongoing gunfire.
An 18-year-old male victim who sustained gunshot wounds was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Police confirmed that the victims ranged in age from 16 to 40 years old. Several individuals were reported to be in critical condition and undergoing surgery, while others were listed in stable condition. Some victims were transported from the scene by ambulance, while others drove themselves or were taken by others to area hospitals.
One partygoer, Brandon Angel, described the terrifying moments when the shooting began. Angel told local media about the panic that ensued as the gunfire erupted. He described seeing people scattering, pushing others, and trying to find cover. Angel mentioned that after fleeing the scene, he was temporarily detained by police when he reached a nearby corner store.
Another attendee, who remained anonymous, told reporters that he attempted to help one of the victims who ultimately died. “It was a big party going on, and a lot of things went wrong,” the witness stated. “Whenever the shooting was going on, I didn’t really think much of it. I just tried to help some guy who was in front of me who got shot.”
Residents in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing people running through the streets and hiding between houses as they attempted to escape the violence.
Police spokesperson Jodi Silva confirmed that while multiple people had been detained and questioned in connection with the incident, no arrests had been made nearly 12 hours after the shooting occurred. The individuals who were questioned have since been released.
The Houston Police Department is actively investigating the shooting and has requested public assistance. Authorities are asking anyone who attended the gathering to contact the police, noting that there may be evidence in their vehicles that could help with the investigation. The identity of the uninvited guest who allegedly initiated the shooting has not been publicly disclosed.
Cantu emphasized the importance of witness cooperation, saying that investigators would need help from those who were present at the party. She added that the police homicide division would be working to identify and apprehend the suspect.
The Houston Police Department has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact their homicide division at 713-308-3600 or to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 (TIPS).
This incident is one of several recent shootings in the Houston area that have resulted in multiple casualties, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in the region.
