HOUSTON – Four people were shot and one person is dead after a shooting at a northwest Harris County nightclub.
Harris County Sheriff's detectives said a security guard for the Bronco Nite Club on Veteran Memorial shot several people after he was attacked by patrons just after 6 a.m.
"What the guard told us was that he was escorting the customers out of the club at closing time, when he was he was assaulted by at least two or three people and he pulled out his weapon and discharged it multiple times," said Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ben Beall.
Sgt. Beall said four people were shot. One man died on scene, another man was shot in the stomach and two others were not seriously hurt.
Investigators are questioning at least 15 witnesses but do not yet know what prompted the initial scuffle. Sgt. Beall noted that several of the patrons appeared intoxicated, and said patrol deputies had to track down the owner of the club.
"(The owner) after the shooting occurred locked up the business and left the scene," said Sgt. Beall.
None of the victims' names has been released.
Family members of the security guard identified him as Michael Dennis and said he worked at the club for only a couple of months.
Dennis was taken tot the hospital, but his injuries did not appear to be life threatening, according to Sgt. Beall.
Deputies have been called to the Bronco Nite Club 12 times in the past two months. A search of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission records show the club was cited in 2006, and twice in 2007, for allowing patrons to consume alcohol after permitted hours, and was given a written warning in 2009 for place or manner gambling.