Neighbor shoots, kills man accused of shooting his own mother while drinking in N. Harris County: HCSO

HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after a neighbor shot and killed a woman’s son after the woman’s son shot her multiple times at an apartment in north Harris County Tuesday, deputies said.

Deputies with Harris County Sheriff’s Office were called to an apartment complex located at 311 Highland Cross around 12:45 a.m. for reports of a shooting.

When deputies arrived at the scene, a man was pronounced dead and a woman was being transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Witnesses told deputies the 58-year-old woman was outside barbecuing with some friends for the Fourth of July when a short time later her 22-year-old son who was reportedly drinking and acting strange showed up.

According to investigators, the mother and son went into their apartment unit and the son began shooting. Deputies said the woman came back outside with blood on her face and tried to get away from her son, who followed her. A neighbor noticed what was going on, deputies said.

The neighbor went inside and got his firearm and then confronted the suspect, who had an AK-47, investigators said.

“The son stood over the mom and began firing multiple gunshots to the mom,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. “At that point, the good Samaritan picked up his pistol and fired a shot or shots at the suspect, striking him. At that point, the male collapsed and was subsequently pronounced deceased.”

The neighbor told authorities he believed the man was going to kill his mother.

Both weapons were retrieved by deputies at the scene.

Investigators said the woman underwent surgery and is expected to recover from her injuries.

Although HCSO considers the son’s fatal shooting to be a “justifiable homicide,” the case will be presented to a Harris County Grand Jury upon completion of the investigation.