Afternoon traffic came to a sudden halt Tuesday when gunfire broke out near a bus stop on Houston’s South Side, leaving one person wounded and police scrambling to track down a shooter who slipped away before officers arrived.
Houston police say officers were called to the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Griggs Road at about 1:40 p.m., where they found a victim suffering from gunshot injuries. At least one suspect had already left the scene as investigators began canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance video, according to the Houston Police Department.
FOX 26 Houston reported that SkyFOX flew over the intersection as emergency crews worked below. The station noted that, as of Tuesday afternoon, police had not taken anyone into custody and had released only limited information about the victim’s condition.
Where it happened
The crossing at MLK and Griggs sits along a busy transit corridor lined with bus stops, small businesses and nearby apartment complexes. Residents say the stretch has seen its share of trouble in recent months. In January, early-morning shooting was reported at a Griggs Road apartment complex, part of a pattern that has fueled frustration among neighbors.
Local community groups have repeatedly pushed for increased patrols and better lighting along parts of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Griggs Road, arguing that the combination of foot traffic, transit stops and dimly lit corners creates easy cover for violent crime.
Investigators ask for tips
Detectives have not released any suspect descriptions or updates on the victim’s condition, and it was not immediately clear whether METRO Police played a role in the response, FOX 26 Houston reports.
The Houston Police Department lists its Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 and Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS for anonymous tips. Investigators are urging anyone with video, photos or firsthand information from the area to come forward as they work to piece together what led up to the shooting.
The investigation remained active late Tuesday, with evidence technicians seen combing the intersection for clues while detectives tried to sort out how a routine afternoon at a busy bus stop turned into another violent incident along MLK and Griggs.
