Tragedy struck at a Houston apartment complex on Monday afternoon when, at approximately 2:35 p.m., a man opened fire in a leasing office, leaving two dead and one injured, police said. The Houston Police Department swiftly responded to the scene at the 11300 block of Richmond Avenue after reports of an active shooter situation.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a gruesome scene: a man and a woman—both employees of the complex—had been fatally shot, and another man was injured. "A man entered the leasing office and forced everyone to leave except for a man and woman, both employees of the complex," Executive Assistant Chief Ban Tien said, according to Houston Chronicle. After shooting the two victims, the gunman reportedly took his own life, the preliminary investigation shows.
Houston Police revealed through social media that their commanders, homicide detectives, and a Public Information Officer were dispatched to the possible murder-suicide at 11355 Richmond Avenue. Initial reports indicated that three people had been shot. The situation immediately escalated to a full investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the violent incident.
HPD commanders, homicide detectives and PIO are en route to a possible murder-suicide shooting at 11355 Richmond Avenue that occurred about 2:35 p.m. today.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) February 12, 2024
Initial reports are three people are shot.
Further information at the scene. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/ut5zoCMLz7
Witnesses described the encounter as the assailant forcing multiple individuals out of the leasing office before focusing his attention on the two victims. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear as officials continue to compile details of the confrontation. The injured man was rushed to the hospital, and his current condition has yet to be publicly shared, said Tien. Police have not released the names of the deceased or the survivor pending notification of kin, and the investigation is ongoing.
