HOUSTON – Houston police are investigating a homicide that happened at a north Houston smoke shop Jan. 10. They released enhanced surveillance video from the scene on Thursday.
According to investigators, three men armed with shotguns and pistols walked into 45 Smoke Shop at 2623 North Freeway shortly after 10 p.m. and began shooting at the owner, 36-year-old Michael Phelan.
Police say Phelan pulled his own gun on the men and fired back.
There were several people inside the business at the time of the shooting, but only the owner was targeted. The three men left the scene without taking any money from the cash register.
Phelan was shot four times, according to police. He was transported to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the Houston Police Department's Homicide Unit, there were several bullets left behind in the business.
Police describe the suspects as three Hispanic or Middle Eastern men with long guns and handguns.
The men fled the scene in a dark-colored vehicle, according to HPD. Authorities say they do not know of a motive in this shooting.