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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A family barbecue turned tragic early on Sunday after gunfire erupted at a residence on the 6000 block of Cherry Hill in Houston, eventually spilling over to a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant.
The shooting left one person dead and at least 14 others injured, the Houston Police Department reported. Several individuals were detained for questioning.
Newsweek has contacted the HPD for further comment via email outside normal office hours.
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The Context
The shooting comes amid ongoing gun control debates at the state and nation levels. Texas gun laws are among the most lenient in the U.S. Individuals aged 21 and over can carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, provided they are legally allowed to possess firearms. There is no requirement for background checks on private sales and no waiting periods. Texas law preempts local firearm regulations, and there are no state restrictions on assault weapons or magazine capacities.
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What To Know
HPD officials detailed the timeline of the event in a news conference, saying emergency calls had poured in to report multiple shootings and injuries. Officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the first 911 call as gunfire continued in the area, according to HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu.
At least three of the victims were transported directly from the scene, while others self-reported to area hospitals.
"Officers arrived at the scene three minutes right after the call. As they were arriving, they were still hearing gunshots, and the scene was still very much active," Cantu told reporters on Sunday.
Investigators said the violence began at what was described as a family gathering. Witnesses told the police that an uninvited guest arrived and was asked to leave. As he left, he allegedly began firing a weapon, prompting some residents to return fire.
"The uninvited guest was asked to leave. He left. As he was leaving, he began shooting in the area. There was return fire from the residents as well," Cantu said.
What People Are Saying
HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu said in a news conference on May 4: "It's still very complicated. It was chaotic from the get-go getting here. The officers did a great job in starting to conduct the scene and also have a scene to have HFD arrive to be safe and start working on the patients and begin the transporting.
"If there's any witnesses that left the house, the residents, please call our Homicide Division. We are definitely going to need your help. We have people detained right now, and Homicide will later start pushing out suspect information to get your help to get this person detained and arrested."
What Happens Next
The incident is under investigation, and authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward.
Update 5/4/25, 7:09 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information. The headline was also updated.
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