A late-night argument between a father and son outside a Pemex gas station in northeast Houston turned into a near-fatal shooting Friday, leaving the dad in critical condition and his son in handcuffs, according to police. What started as a verbal dispute reportedly escalated into a physical fight in the parking lot before the younger man pulled a gun and opened fire.
Houston Police Department northeast patrol officers were called around 10 p.m. to the Pemex at 747 Kress Street. Investigators said the son drew a firearm during the confrontation and shot his father, though the exact number of gunshots was not immediately known. Medics rushed the victim to a hospital in critical condition. The son, described by officers as being in his late teens or early 20s, was detained at the scene and taken into custody, according to Click2Houston.
The shooting is the latest in a string of violent confrontations at Houston gas stations this spring, where brief flareups at the pump have sometimes turned deadly. In April, a man was killed after being shot multiple times in a station parking lot, a case that highlighted how fast minor disputes can spiral, FOX 26 Houston reported. Detectives in those incidents typically lean heavily on witness statements and surveillance video to piece together what happened.
Legal review
In the Kress Street case, investigators said any potential charges against the son are still pending and will be reviewed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office once more evidence is gathered. Officers continued canvassing the area, collecting shell casings and surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses as the investigation moved forward. The DA’s office will decide on formal charges after Houston police complete their work, according to Click2Houston.
Authorities are urging anyone who saw the confrontation or has information about the shooting to contact Houston police or Crime Stoppers, a tool detectives have relied on in previous gas station cases, FOX 26 Houston noted. The investigation remains active, and officials say they plan to release more details as they confirm them.
