An 18-year-old Houston man has been charged with illegally possessing a machine gun and unlawful receipt of a firearm and ammunition following a fatal shooting on a Houston METRO bus.
Patrick Scott, who was already in custody on related state charges, is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court at a later date.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a machine gun and up to five years for receiving a firearm while under indictment, along with possible fines of up to $250,000.
The shooting happened on Jan. 7 aboard Metro Bus #2611 on Route 161 near Walnut Bend and Richmond. Two suspects, 17-year-old Brayden Smith and 18-year-old Scott, were involved in an argument when both fired guns inside the bus.
Smith is charged with murder after investigators believe he fired the shot that killed a 25-year-old woman, an innocent bystander. A 16-year-old male passenger was also injured but is expected to recover.
Scott, who was out on bond for a felony aggravated robbery at the time, allegedly retrieved a firearm from his backpack during the incident.
Court documents indicate the gun, a 9mm Glock, was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a “switch.” Federal prosecutors allege Scott’s possession of the weapon violated bond conditions and federal law, which prohibits individuals under indictment from having firearms.
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams said, “A young woman was killed and a teenager endures a long recovery because of the disregard Scott and a teen rival held for innocent lives on that bus. We hope these charges make others consider the life-and-death consequences of their irresponsible actions.”