Dispute between father, mother over child custody leads to shooting in SE Houston, police say

HOUSTON – A dispute is being blamed for a frightening scene after a teenager and her nephew were forced the duck for cover when someone opened fire.

Residents of a home on the 3600 block of Seabrook Street were caught in the middle of some drama they would much rather be left out of.

They said two young children and a 13-year-old girl were nearly struck by the gunfire.

"We all was running; ducked to the floor," said Clara J., who lives at the home.

There were multiple shots, and approximately eight bullet holes punctured the home. Clara said Thursday night her 22-year-old great-nephew brought his drama to her doorstep.

Clara and her husband, who did not want to be identified, said their great-nephew's ex-girlfriend came to pick up their child with a group of armed men.

There was an argument that broke out between the estranged couple, centered around the custody of their child, according to Houston police.

One of the armed men told Clara's great-nephew to come over and talk to him, but the 22-year-old went back in the house and that's when the shots were fired, according to police. 

At the same time, Clara's 13-year-old granddaughter was walking back into the house holding Clara's baby nephew and made it inside safely, Clara said.

Clara and her husband told Channel 2 their great-nephew's ex-girlfriend took their child and tried to drive away. They ended up crashing the getaway car in a ditch a short distance from the house. The ex-girlfriend and two men bailed and have not been caught, police said.

No one was hit with any of the gunfire.