A 16-year-old is in critical condition after a shooting in Houston’s Montrose area that investigators believe may have involved an exchange of gunfire between multiple people.
Houston police responded around 9:30 p.m. Monday to the 700 block of Colquitt Street after receiving reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found shell casings scattered across the roadway, a vehicle riddled with bullet holes, and narcotics in a nearby grassy area. Investigators also discovered that several vehicles in the area had been struck by gunfire.
Police believe the teenager was shot during what may have been a shootout involving two groups.
However, officers did not find the victim at the scene.
According to investigators, a passing driver spotted the 16-year-old stumbling nearby, stopped to help and drove him to a local hospital. Medical staff determined the teen’s injuries were severe and transferred him to a higher-level trauma center, where he remains in critical condition.
Police said the victim has not yet been able to provide a statement, and investigators currently do not have a suspect description.
Because of the large number of shell casings recovered, detectives believe more than one shooter may have exchanged gunfire. Investigators are relying on physical evidence collected at the scene as they work to determine what led to the shooting and identify those involved.
Residents who live on the block said they were saddened but not shocked by the violence.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised,” neighbor Hannah said. “There’s so much crime that happens in our area right here. Our area is just full of a lot of poverty. A lot of kids have to go through so much, and they end up getting into such bad crime, like drugs. There are meth pipes, shootouts are happening.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Houston.