HOUSTON – Police are investigating after several people were shot at a Caribbean festival on Houston's south side.
It happened early Saturday morning near Almeda Genoa Road and Highway 288.
Police said about 5,000 people had shown up for the Jouvert event, a part of the Houston Caribbean Festival. Spokesperson Jodi Silva said gunfire broke out in the arena just before 2 a.m.
"There are four gunshot victims. Two of them have been transported to Ben Taub, two to Memorial Hermann. We do know one of them who was injured was critically injured," said Silva.
Silva said the victim who was critically injured was shot in the head and is not expected to survive. She said the others' injuries don't appear to be life-threatening.
According to police, two women were also injured after being trampled by the stampede of people trying to get away from the gunfire.
Witnesses described chaos as everyone tried to get out of the arena.
"It was hectic, man. I had my family here so I wanted to make sure first and foremost I had everybody I came with, and make sure I left with everybody I came with," said witness Isaiah Jackson.
Jackson returned to the grounds Saturday to search for keys that were lost during the shooting aftermath.
Another attendee, Elvis Bushman, said he was walking up to the arena just as everyone was running away. He and a cousin stopped to help a women who was injured while trying to leave. Bushman expressed disappointment in the violence, saying it was the first time something like this has happened in more than a decade.
"No incidents, nothing. No fights, nothing to talk about, nothing to make the news," said Bushman.
Officers said they do not have as many witnesses as they would like due to everyone running away.
They are asking anyone with information to please call the Houston Police Department homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.