HOUSTON – Community leaders are demanding justice and stronger enforcement of event regulations after a deadly shooting at an unplanned trail rider gathering in Houston left one person dead and five others injured over the weekend.
Surveillance video captured the chaos as gunfire erupted in a parking lot off Homestead Road on Saturday night, killing 24-year-old Cory Young and wounding five others.
All victims were under the age of 25, according to Houston Police.
“These events need to be stopped,” said Danetta Hill, Young’s aunt, during a Tuesday meeting of the city council at Houston City Hall.
History of Concerns at Location
The same parking lot had been the site of another unruly crowd incident two years ago, when community leaders say city officials promised to enforce an ordinance against such gatherings.
“If that had happened, we wouldn’t be here,” said community activist Fred Woods, who criticized the organization of events that he says “encourage trigger-happy thugs to show up and have free reign.”
Late Tuesday, the Mayor’s Office told KPRC 2 News that since the gathering happened on private property, the City wouldn’t be able to ban people from being there and that decision would be up to a private property owner, based on guidance received from the City Attorney’s Office.
Call for Stricter Regulations
Neighborhood representatives are now pushing for a stronger ordinance with enhanced penalties for unplanned, pop-up events.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a tragedy in our community. And that is what the concern is, so this won’t happen again,” said Willie Nichols, President of the Northwood Manor Civic Club. “We’re not saying that the trail rides can’t happen or we’re not saying that we don’t want it to happen in our communities. We’re just saying let’s kind of have it in a more safe environment.”
Woods said strengthening the ordinance around unsanctioned events with punishments could “discourage bad actors” who plan the events and charge people to attend.
He called on the council to begin revising the ordinance immediately.
Investigation Ongoing
Houston Mayor John Whitmire acknowledged the active homicide investigation, noting that “two key witnesses” remain hospitalized.
Young’s family expressed frustration with the level of communication from homicide investigators.
Hill, whose father served 36 years with the city of Houston, described the lack of investigator engagement as “very concerning.”
After raising the concerns during the council meeting, Mayor Whitmire directed Hill to talk to a police representative at the meeting.
The mayor said he’s been told police are in touch with the victim’s parents, but Hill disputed that claim.
How to Help
The Houston Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate the shooting. No arrests have been made, according to a spokesperson on Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators urge anyone with information about the incident or who may have been present at the gathering to contact the HPD Homicide Unit at 713 308-3600.