Teen killed near north Houston high school; manhunt underway for shooter
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the 15-year-old victim was likely a student at the school
HOUSTON, Texas (KBTX) - A 15-year-old has died after a shooting on a sidewalk near Westfield High School in north Houston, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said the shooting happened at about 4 p.m. next to the Spring ISD administration building and Westfield High School, not inside the school or on school property.
He said the school had already let out for the day, and only a few students remained on campus at the time.
“The Spring ISD community is heartbroken,” Gonzalez said. “Today we believe a student went to school and didn’t return home.”
Gonzalez said calls about the shooting came in both to Spring ISD and to a Harris County sheriff’s deputy who was flagged down while traveling through the area. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Spring ISD police responded, according to Gonzalez.
Encounter between teen, at least one other male
Gonzalez said investigators believe an argument escalated into gunfire between the teen and another male.
The teen was wounded at the scene and transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
Gonzalez said investigators do not yet know whether only the victim and the shooter were present at the time of the shooting or whether a larger group was involved. He said only one victim has been confirmed so far, and investigators have not confirmed the age of the shooter or anyone who may have been nearby.
Gonzalez said investigators believe the teen killed was a student at the school, though that has not been definitively confirmed.
The teen’s identity has also not been released.
Gonzalez offered condolences to the teen’s family, the Spring ISD community, and faculty and fellow students. He noted the shooting comes just days after a 5-year-old was killed in a separate act of violence, which he called a difficult loss for the community as well.
Suspect fled on foot, search underway
Gonzalez said the suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot, and law enforcement launched an active search to locate the person responsible.
“We have a lot of personnel out here that’s actively trying to identify who the possible shooter is,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said investigators have not yet received a description of the shooter, including whether the shooter was wearing a ski mask, as some initial dispatch audio had indicated.
“I have not received any information on a description of the shooter,” Gonzalez said. “I’m leaving that to our detectives, but I’ll get that information, and then, if we’ve got a good description that’s credible, we’ll go ahead and share that out.”
Gonzalez said investigators do not yet know the shooter’s connection, if any, to the school or to the victim.
He said his office also does not believe there is an active threat to the community.
“We have many resources committed to this investigation, and we’re going to do everything possible... to make sure that we support the community and the family, but at the same time that we continue to hunt down who was responsible for this tragic incident.”
Sheriff addresses parents, security going forward
Gonzalez said he has been in contact with Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Cuellar and has been coordinating closely with his own leadership team and the Spring ISD Police Department’s interim chief.
Gonzalez said his office will work with the district to maintain a strong security presence at the school in the coming days.
He cautioned that much of the information remains preliminary and the investigation is still unfolding.
No information on a motive has been released. This is a developing story.
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