Houston police on Monday released surveillance photos of a person of interest after two men were fatally shot near an apartment complex on Windswept Lane Friday evening. Authorities identified the victims as 30-year-old Rafael Xe Rax and 21-year-old Jose Cuz Shol. Investigators said a Hispanic man, roughly 20 to 30 years old, was seen walking away from the scene.
Police release images and identify victims
In a release via City of Houston News, HPD Homicide Division Sgt. J. Gardner and Detective M. Providence said patrol officers responded to an assault call in the 6300 block and found a man with gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. Officers were later notified of a second man with gunshot injuries who was pronounced dead at the scene. The release includes surveillance photos of a possible suspect.
What happened at the scene
KTRK reported that officers administered CPR to the first victim before Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The second man was found along a walking path near the bayou and pronounced deceased at the scene. Police told KTRK they believe both victims were shot during an altercation on a walkway at the apartment complex, and the homicide investigation remains active.
How to help the investigation
HPD is asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS, according to the city release. Investigators reiterated that the suspect is described only as a Hispanic male between 20 and 30 years old and urged anyone who recognizes the person in the photos to call immediately.
Related coverage and context
The shooting on Windswept Lane was one of two fatal incidents that evening, with a separate killing reported in the 3400 block of Blalock, the Houston Chronicle reported. Hoodline published an initial item about the Windswept shooting on Nov. 8; see Two Men Fatally Shot for our earlier coverage.
