HOUSTON – A family member has identified the victim of this morning’s deadly school shooting as LePaul Warren, who was a senior at Westbury High School in southwest Houston.
Warren, 17, was a wide receiver and starter on the school’s varsity football team and a shooting guard for varsity basketball.
Recommended Videos
He was shot and killed just steps from the school campus and a search is on for the shooter.
His godfather, Nate Santee, says he was a good kid, very respectful, very polite.
Ke’Shon Joyce, a friend and also a senior at the school, said he was just with Warren at a McDonald’s the day before.
The call came in around 8:21 a.m. Warren was shot just outside the campus grounds on Dryad Street near 11911 Chimney Rock Road, right outside an apartment complex that sits across from the school’s own athletic fields. It’s an area kids hang out in before school, according to Joyce.
After the shooting, Westbury High School went into secure mode, meaning nobody in and nobody out. Houston ISD later set up a controlled release so parents could come pick up their kids. Counselors are on hand for students and staff who need support.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said said the school itself was never in danger and students, teachers and staff were safe.
“This happened just outside of the school,” Diaz said. “We’re working diligently to make sure we get someone in custody as soon as possible, to make sure this area is safe.”
Diaz said he personally spoke with Warren’s grandmother, mother and aunt, and said they were “beside themselves.”
As for the investigation, detectives have already pulled surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex, and they’re going door to door looking for more footage.
Witnesses said the shooter was dressed in all black with a ski mask on. On Tuesday, the 14-year-old accused of shooting and killing 15-year-old Westfield student Royce Witchet, was also wearing all black with a ski mask. Investigators have not connected the two shootings.
Investigators have interviewed witnesses and are also hoping license plate readers in the area can help them track down the shooter. They also had video from the apartment complex next door to the school, according to Diaz.
“We have got leads. We have got video cameras,” Diaz said. “Homicide detectives are at the scene, and we’re working toward making sure this gets resolved.”
25 additional Texas DPS troopers are on the ground helping HPD search nearby apartment buildings and wooded areas.
If you have cell phone video, dash cam footage, home surveillance or anything else that might help, Houston police want to hear from you.
Houston ISD released the following statement after the shooting:
“The Houston Police Department responded this morning to an off-campus incident near Westbury High School involving a Westbury student. As law enforcement responded and investigated, the campus was placed in Secure as a precaution. All students and staff on campus remained safe.
The District later learned that the student died as a result of the incident. Crisis counselors are on campus and will continue to be available next week to support students and staff. All after-school activities at Westbury have been canceled for today.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a Westbury High School student. My thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the entire Westbury community during this incredibly difficult time,” said Superintendent Mike Miles. “HISD is providing counseling and additional support for students and staff at Westbury, and we will continue to support the school community in the days ahead. We are grateful to the law enforcement officers and campus staff who responded this morning and worked to ensure the safety of everyone on campus.”
More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter
