HOUSTON – Police are searching for two suspects after a woman was shot and killed on a METRO bus in west Houston on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators say a man boarded METRO bus #2611 on Route 161 and opened fire around 2:32 p.m. near the intersection of Walnut Bend and Richmond. The 25-year-old woman was shot in the head and later died at a hospital.
METRO Police Chief Ban Tien said the suspect appears to have been targeting another person on the bus and that the woman who was killed was likely an innocent bystander.
After the shooting, the bus driver immediately stopped the bus, and all passengers were evacuated.
KPRC 2 reporter Gage Goulding later confirmed that a teen arrived at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Authorities believe he was also shot on the bus and transported to the hospital in a private vehicle. His condition is unknown, and investigators are still working to determine whether he was the intended target.
Initially, there was confusion on how many suspects were involved in the shooting, but Thursday morning, Houston police confirmed two suspects, between the ages of 16 and 18 years old was wanted.
METRO Police Chief urged witnesses to come forward, noting the shooting happened in the middle of the afternoon when many people were in the area.
“Two thirty in the afternoon, I know there were a lot of folks out there, I am confident that a lot of witnesses saw where the suspect went, I just ask them to come forward to let us know who that person is,” Tien said.
KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel spoke with Alvin King, who was on the bus at the time of the incident. King said he heard gunshots and feared for his life. Despite the danger, he rushed to help the woman, who had been sitting several rows behind him.
“Boom, boom,” King recalled. “I was scared. I thought I was next.”
Wednesday’s shooting marks the latest in a string of violent incidents involving METRO buses. Earlier this week, a former METRO bus driver was charged after chasing and stabbing a passenger following a dispute. Last July, another man was arrested and charged with murder in a separate fatal shooting on a METRO bus.
Statement from Commissioner Lesley Briones on deadly shooting on a METRO bus in west Houston:
“Today, a woman lost her life to senseless gun violence while riding a METRO bus in west Houston. My heart goes out to her family, and I am praying for them tonight. Public safety is my top priority, and I stand in solidarity with our law enforcement partners who are investigating this case. Justice must be served.”
METRO released the following statement:
“METRO is deeply saddened to report on a fatal shooting that occurred earlier today on bus No. 2611 near Walnut Bend and Richmond. Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones and all those affected by this tragic incident.
Preliminary information indicates the suspect boarded the bus and discharged a weapon toward two males who were already on board. A bullet fatally struck a female passenger, not involved in the incident.
The bus operator immediately stopped the bus and followed protocol to safely offload all passengers.
While no transit system can prevent every act of violence, METRO has measures in place to support rapid response and investigations. Surveillance footage from the bus has been downloaded and is being reviewed law enforcement, and witnesses were able to provide information to assist investigators.
MPD and HPD are actively working on locating the shooter. Anyone with information that can help aid the investigation, is encouraged to come forward.
Because this case resulted in a homicide, HPD is the leading agency in this investigation, which is still underway.
The safety of our riders, employees and the community remains METRO’s top priority."