A 17-year-old teen was shot dead outside Cypress Lakes High School in Harris County, Texas, on Tuesday morning, in a tragic incident that left the local community reeling. Jake Mason was reportedly waiting to pick up his girlfriend, a student at the school, when he was gunned down in cold blood by an assailant after an alleged argument with a group of unknown men, according to ABC13.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to the distressing event around 10:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Brenwood Trails Lane. An onlooker described the suspect as a black man dressed in all black who decided to quickly flee the scene on foot. Deputies had to quickly react, canvassing the area and securing evidence, while schools in proximity went into a protective lockdown. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez took to updating the public, saying, "with a group of unidentified males when an altercation occurred" Mason was shot, according to Houston Chronicle.
Meanwhile, area schools including Cypress Lakes High, McFee Elementary, and Emery Elementary briefly entered a "secure the building mode," causing distress among parents and students alike, reported the ABC13. Despite the interruption during finals week, normal school dismissal proceeded. Officials have reassured parents that there will be an increased law enforcement presence at the schools for the remainder of the week.
The sheriff's office is to actively seek any available surveillance footage in hopes to piece together the harrowing events that led to the young man's death. In the afternoon update, Major Saul Suarez said, "We do have several witnesses detained at the scene," and acknowledged they "do have leads based on those interviews," as obtained by ABC13. Several people were taken into custody shortly after the shooting, but the search continues for both the shooter and a black four-door vehicle linked to the incident.
Authorities have yet to establish a clear motive behind the shooting, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477.
