A funeral meant to honor a life lost to gun violence was shattered by more gunfire Friday afternoon, sending mourners sprinting for the exits at a southeast Houston church and leaving one person wounded.
The shooting broke out inside St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church as family and friends gathered to remember a loved one recently killed in another shooting. What began as a solemn service quickly turned frantic as people scrambled for safety and emergency crews rushed into the sanctuary to reach the injured person. Police have not yet released the victim’s condition.
Police and Witnesses Identify Church and Slain Man Honored at Service
According to ABC13, the gunfire erupted at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, located at 8301 Brandon Street. Houston police said one individual was shot during the funeral and taken from the scene, and investigators quickly moved in to lock down the area.
Witnesses told ABC13 the service was being held for 42-year-old Darius Phillips, who was fatally shot on June 15 after an altercation at a party in west Harris County, according to deputies. By Friday afternoon, investigators were still at the church, sorting through conflicting accounts and combing the grounds for shell casings, surveillance footage and anything else that might explain how a funeral turned into yet another crime scene.
Detectives Canvass Neighborhood and Ask Public for Tips
Houston police and detectives are now canvassing the surrounding neighborhood, looking for anyone who saw or recorded what happened. Investigators are checking nearby homes and businesses for surveillance video and interviewing attendees in an effort to piece together how the shooting unfolded inside the church.
Authorities are asking anyone with information, photos or video of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or reach out to the Houston Police Department through its listed contact options.
What to Know Next
Officials say this remains a developing investigation, and more details are expected as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and processing evidence from the church and surrounding area. Local news outlets and police are likely to release additional updates as they learn more about who opened fire and why a memorial service became the scene of another shooting.
