A late-night shooting at a park off Oak Vista Drive in southeast Houston left a 17-year-old dead and a 19-year-old wounded Thursday, turning a quiet stretch of the night into a crime scene lit by police flashers.
Officers responded after reports of gunfire around 11:30 p.m. and found both teens with gunshot wounds, according to Houston police. The 17-year-old had been shot in the chest and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. The 19-year-old, shot in the arm, is expected to survive.
Police Say Violence May Have Followed Late-Night Meetup
Investigators told KHOU that officers were called to the park at about 11:30 p.m. Homicide detectives said the shooting may have unfolded during a meetup involving multiple people.
At the scene, police recovered two firearms of different calibers. One person was detained for questioning, although no charges had been filed as of early Friday morning, according to the station.
Neighbors Say Park Violence Is Becoming a Pattern
The killing adds to a string of violent incidents in southeast Houston parks. Click2Houston recently reported on a family mourning a 16-year-old who was killed in a drive-by at Durham Park.
Neighbors have organized vigils and are pushing for more patrols and community outreach after a run of killings and close calls at local green spaces, saying the places meant for kids and families are starting to feel like trouble spots after dark.
Detectives Canvass Area, Public Asked to Speak Up
Houston homicide detectives are interviewing witnesses and canvassing the surrounding area as they work to reconstruct what led up to the gunfire. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the two teens.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers as the investigation continues.
