HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A tragic series of shootings involving teenagers unfolded on Tuesday night in Houston.
The first incident occurred around 6:57 p.m. in the 6300 block of Rogerdale, near the West Beltway in Alief. Houston Police Department responded to find two 15-year-olds, one of whom had been shot in the back. They had pulled over on Rogerdale and called 911 while en route to the hospital. Witnesses reported the shooting may have occurred at a corner store as they were on their way to Alief Learning Center to collect money.
Shortly after this, around 8 p.m., officers were called to Memorial Hermann Hospital – Southwest, where a second 15-year-old victim, who had been shot in the head, was driven by someone. Tragically, this teenager succumbed to his injuries. Police later determined the shooting had occurred at 4200 Belle Park Dr., about two miles from the first incident, although any connection between the two shootings was unclear.
Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas, representing District F where the incidents took place, expressed deep sadness over the loss and injury of the teenagers. She emphasized the need for preventive measures, such as providing summer jobs for teens to keep them occupied and safe from crime.
“We have to invest in summer job programming. A summer job is a public safety strategy,” Thomas emphasized, criticizing the lack of investment in such programs by the current administration. She highlighted efforts by the parks department, schools, and her office to expand summer job opportunities and other safety and enrichment programs on the west side.
In another incident, a 16-year-old was shot around midnight in the Greenspoint area. According to HPD, the shooting occurred at an apartment complex on City View and Benmar as the teen was in the parking lot with friends. The teenager, shot in the neck, managed to flee to his apartment, where his mother took him to the hospital. He remains in critical condition, with police indicating they have leads on the possible identity of the shooter.
