HOUSTON – A popular social media trend called “urban exploring” turned dangerous for a couple who entered a vacant hotel in Southwest Houston and were confronted by an armed security guard, according to Houston police investigators and video posted online.
The incident occurred at the vacant Crowne Plaza property off the Southwest Freeway, where “No Trespassing” signs and security cameras cover the perimeter.
Video of the confrontation, now viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Instagram, shows a man ordering the explorers to raise their hands and demanding identification. The full video can be seen here.
“Come in and show me your hands,” the man says in the recording.
At one point, he claims to be law enforcement: “I’m a private investigator and police officer,” he says.
Seconds later, the video captures a gunshot fired inside the building. The couple can be seen exiting with their hands raised, appearing shaken, as the man continues to shout and threaten them.
Authorities say another shot was fired outside in the direction of the freeway as the pair fled.
RELATED: 3 teens arrested after sneaking into abandoned Astrodome, may be tied to urban exploration group
Video shared widely by urban exploring page
The footage was shared with the “Uninhabited Exploration” Instagram account, which posts urban exploring videos from around the country.
Eli, who runs the account, said it’s a passion for many people and “like being in a dream” to go inside such rare places, with the typical focus on gathering content.
He said the armed guard had previously left comments online warning explorers to stay away.
“He actually was commenting on urban explorers’ videos saying, ‘Hey, don’t enter this property anymore. I am security and I’m armed,’” Eli said.
Eli added that many people didn’t take those warnings seriously—until this incident.
“It kind of just reminded everybody like, ‘Hey, this is very dangerous,’” he said, noting he had never encountered anything like it and hopes he never does.
Security guard charged, accused of impersonating officer
Investigators used the video to help identify the guard as Carlos Campos Carrillo, who is now charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and impersonating a public servant.
One victim told investigators she urinated on herself out of fear during the confrontation, according to charging records.
State records indicate Carrillo is a licensed security guard. Houston police confirmed Carrillo was arrested just days before this incident for allegedly firing multiple rounds at other trespassers at the same hotel. That case was later dismissed after prosecutors said it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Now, Carrillo faces new charges and is wanted for the latest incident on March 1.
Law enforcement warning: trespassing can be dangerous—and criminal
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen, who is not involved in this case, said urban exploring has surged as people chase viral moments online.
He pointed to last year’s arrests of three teens accused of entering the Astrodome to create social media content.
“Everybody’s looking for their 15 minutes of fame on TikTok,” Rosen said.
Rosen warned that entering private property—especially when there are fences, chains, or other barriers—can lead to criminal trespass charges.
“If there’s any barrier, so it could be a chain, that’s a barrier,” he said. “If this is not open to the public and it’s private property, you’re not supposed to go there.”
He also emphasized that abandoned buildings can present serious hazards, including holes in floors, asbestos exposure, and unsafe conditions such as a lack of power.
Rosen said the safest way to explore a property is to get permission from the owner or manager before entering.
“You can actually probably get a treasure trove of more stuff when you just coordinate with the owner,” he said.