A late-night online spat burst into real-world violence in northeast Houston on Sunday, when a 30-year-old woman was shot outside her Hartwick Road home after a confrontation with people she had argued with on the internet, according to police. Officers responded to the Hartwick Road area near Maple Leaf Street around 11 p.m. and found the woman with a gunshot wound. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
Investigators say a group drove to her house, and an argument escalated. During the encounter, the woman used mace on the group, and someone in the crowd opened fire, hitting her once. The suspects then took off in a vehicle. No arrests have been announced.
Police: Online argument turned violent
According to FOX 26 Houston, Lt. Willkens told reporters the woman confronted two females and a male who got out of a vehicle before shots were fired. One of the suspects allegedly pulled the trigger seven times, striking her once.
The station reports the woman maced the group and tried to run away before she was hit. Investigators were processing the scene late Sunday night, collecting evidence and documenting the area. Police have not released the identities of the suspects and have not said whether others might have been inside the vehicle.
Investigation and how to report tips
Houston police say detectives are still working the case and are urging anyone who knows something to speak up. Per the Houston Police Department, people with tips or video evidence can contact the Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or reach Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
What remains unclear
Authorities have not said whether the visitors knew the woman beforehand or what exactly sparked the online dispute. Detectives are still looking for witnesses and any neighborhood footage as they review statements and available video to piece together the sequence of events. The investigation remains open.
