Gunfire disrupts large crowd outside North Freeway club; multiple detained, officer assaulted

HOUSTON – Houston police responded around 11 p.m. Saturday to reports of a large crowd in the parking lot of a business in the 11400 block of the North Freeway, according to the Houston Police Department’s North Division. Officers found an estimated 500 people outside and another 500 inside the establishment, identified as the Cowgirls Bikini Bar.

While officers were on scene, someone in the crowd discharged a firearm, police said. The shots caused people to scatter in multiple directions, including across the street to a Shell gas station. HPD said the incident did not lead to a stampede or any known secondary injuries.

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The Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene and shut down the establishment, police said. Harris County deputies, including Precinct 4 and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, also responded and assisted in bringing the situation under control.

Police said one officer was assaulted during the incident but was not injured. Multiple people were detained at the scene. Investigators did not immediately have information on whether the firearm discharge was intentional or accidental.