Police respond to reported shootout outside east Houston hospital

HOUSTON – Take a close look at the SUV caught on surveillance video speeding away from the East Houston Regional Medical Center.

Witnesses believe it was one of three vehicles involved in a shootout.

Moments later, several HPD officers are seen pulling in.

"I never thought I'd be in something like this, and when you get into it you realize how close your life is to leaving," Brad Berry, a witness, said.

According to police, a 17-year-old man said he was walking at a nearby intersection and shot multiple times by someone in a black SUV.

He said he ran away to get help, ultimately jumping into a white SUV with people he claims he didn't know, who took him to the hospital.

But when they arrived, police believe they were being followed by two other SUVs, whose occupants opened fire at the front entrance, aiming at the white SUV, even hitting innocent bystander's vehicles.

"Scary. I thought I was going to die. I really did. Because he was right beside me. And the dude in the middle of the street was shooting at him. It's just crazy," Blake Taylor, caught in middle of shootout, said.

"These individuals who were firing shots within these three vehicles have no regard for anyone, let alone who their target was," said John Cannon with the Houston Police Department.

All three SUVs fled the scene, but not before multiple shots were fired, even hitting a truck in a nearby driveway, where a family was celebrating a baby shower.

As police are still looking for everyone involved, those caught in the crossfire are just thankful to be alive.

"Its scary knowing that we could've been outside. One of us could've gotten hit. My daughter could've been hit. That's replaceable. My daughter's life or family's life is not," Juanita Salinas, whose vehicle got hit by gunfire, said.


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