Two people were being questioned after officers followed a trail of blood from the parking lot to a nearby apartment.
HOUSTON, TX — Houston police are investigating after officers responding to a report of gunfire found a person dead inside a trash can early Sunday at an apartment complex in the city’s Third Ward, authorities said.
Officers were sent to the 3100 block of Anita Street at about 12:13 a.m. Sept. 6 after a 911 caller reported hearing gunshots and seeing someone apparently trying to place a body into a trash can, according to the Houston Police Department. Investigators said the caller had blocked the phone number, leaving officers unable to call back for more information before they arrived.
Police said no witnesses were waiting for officers when they reached the small apartment complex. Officers searched the parking lot and found an overturned trash can containing a body. Authorities had not determined how the person died or what type of injuries caused the death as investigators began processing the scene.
HPD Lt. R. Willkens said investigators could not immediately determine whether the person had been shot or suffered another type of trauma. Police were awaiting a closer examination of the body as homicide investigators worked to establish what happened before officers arrived.
During their search of the property, officers found a trail of blood leading from the parking area toward one of the apartments, police said. Investigators went to the unit and attempted to get a man inside to come out. When he did not comply, officers with HPD’s Patrol Support Team used breaching equipment to enter the apartment and took him into custody for questioning.
Police also began questioning a second person in connection with the investigation. Authorities described both people as persons of interest and said they had not been arrested at the time of the initial reports. Police had not publicly identified a suspect or announced criminal charges.
The circumstances surrounding the death remained unclear Sunday. Although the original caller reported hearing gunfire, investigators had not confirmed that the person found in the trash can had been shot. Police also had not announced a motive or explained what relationship, if any, the two people being questioned had to the person who died.
Homicide investigators remained at the Third Ward apartment complex examining the body and processing evidence. The cause and manner of death, as well as whether anyone will face charges, remained under investigation.
Author note: Last updated September 6, 2026.