HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – With several incidents, including multiple shootings, on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, 2021 in the Houston-area is off to a violent start.
The violence came as Houston closed the book on a year which saw the city’s number of homicides surpass 400, the most since the 1980′s.
Recommended Videos
Listed below are several of the incidents that occurred as the Houston area ushered in a new year.
Child injured in celebratory gunfire incident on New Year’s Eve, police say
In northwest Houston, an 8-year-old boy was injured by a stray bullet shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting at an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Garden City Drive at around 11:50 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities said the child had been asleep in his bed when a stray bullet went through his bedroom wall and struck him in the hand.
Grandfather shoots granddaughter in celebratory gunfire incident on New Year’s Eve
A New Year’s Eve celebration took a turn for the worse shortly after midnight when a 24-year-old woman was severely injured after being struck by celebratory gunfire.
Officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim at a residence in the 1700 block of Fulton Street just after midnight Friday.
Authorities said the woman and her family had been celebrating in the backyard when the woman’s “heavily intoxicated” grandfather began firing his gun in a “celebratory fashion.” One of the bullets struck the woman in the stomach, police said.
Paramedics transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment and expected to survive, police said. Her grandfather, 70-year-old Javier Villalobos was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
Teen fatally shot in north Harris County, deputies say
Harris County deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 600 block of Kiley Drive in the Remington Rance Community at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday. On arrival, units located a teenager fatally shot in the roadway.
Deputies said the victim was shot and killed after he approached a small four-door car which was stopped in the roadway.
The vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed immediately after the shooting, according to a release.
Investigators said a motive for the shooting is unknown at this time.
Suspect arrested after man fatally shot in northwest Houston overnight, deputies say
A man was arrested and charged Friday in the shooting death of another man at a residence in northwest Houston, officials said.
Harris County Precinct 1 constables responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in the 7300 block of Alabonson Road at approximately 9 p.m. Thursday. On arrival, units located a man suffering a gunshot wound.
Officials said Kenneth Boyd, 33, got into an argument with Darius Smith, 37. At some point during the altercation, Smith shot Boyd.
Investigation underway after 3-year-old child dies from injuries, police say
Police are investigating after a 3-year-old child died from his injuries at an apartment in the Sharpstown area, according to the Houston Police Department.
Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner said the boy’s mother received a call from relatives inside the unit who told her that the boy was unresponsive due to some type of injury. Investigators did not offer any details on the nature of the injury.
When the mother returned to the apartment, a neighbor performed CPR on the boy before he was taken to the hospital.
“We do not know the cause of death. We don’t know if it’s foul play and I don’t want to speculate on it but very sadly a three-year-old is dead,” Finner said.
Driver killed in Spring crash
Authorities said a speeding driver was killed when she crashed into another car overnight in Spring.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of Friday’s crash on Spring Cypress Road. Authorities said she lost control of her vehicle, veered into oncoming traffic at around 1:45 a.m. and collided with an SUV.
Deputies said the woman was not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred.
Five people inside the SUV, two parents and their three children, were transported to area hospital and are expected to be okay.
Man severely injured in New Year’s Eve fireworks accident
Officials say a Harris County man was severely injured in a New Year’s Eve fireworks accident.
Harris county deputies responded to a report of an injured man at a residence in the 18200 block of Thicket Grove Road overnight.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted that the man had been handling fireworks when the accident occurred.
The man was transported to an area hospital via Life Flight for treatment.
SWAT team deployed after man opens fire at family members
On Thursday night, units responded to a residence in the 20900 block of Roxette Ct in reference to a Weapons Disturbance.
Authorities said a man began firing at family members before barricading himself inside the home.
No one was injured in the incident.
The man was taken into custody.
HPD: Man fatally shot at southeast Houston motel
An investigation is underway after a man was shot to death at a motel in southeast Houston Friday, according to the Houston Police Department.
At approximately 7:37 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Smile Inn,located at 8700 Gulf Freeway. Upon arrival, officers located a man deceased inside an open unit. He had been shot multiple times.
Officials said that the shooting occurred shortly after the victim allowed two individuals inside his room.
Man shot in in northeast Houston, police say
Houston police responded to a report of a shooting in the 11100 block of Cheeves Dr. On arrival, they located an injured man, who was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
HPD: Man shot in southwest Houston
Houston police responded to a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Heatherbloom. On arrival, they located a man suffering a gunshot wound.
He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.