PEARLAND, TX – A violent mass shooting episode at a bustling Texas flea market led to the tragic death of a 10-year-old child. In addition to this fatality, four other victims were also injured. The incident occurred on Sunday following a dispute between two individuals, according to Pearland Police.
The horrific scene unfolded around 5:30 p.m. at Cole’s Flea Market in Pearland, Texas. Among the gunshot victims were two minors, one of whom succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The police have yet to disclose the ages and genders of the victims.
During the brief press conference on Sunday night, Officer Chad Rogers of the Pearland Police said that the responsible party or parties continue to elude arrest. He further said that the shooting was spurred by an altercation between two individuals. However, he clarified that it didn’t look like a targeted attack on the flea market.
Cole’s Flea Market, the venue of the incident, is well-known for being both the oldest and largest flea market in Pearland. As per its website, the marketplace houses over 1,000 vendors and draws 12,000 to 15,000 customers each weekend.
As of now, authorities are unsure of how many rounds were fired. The total number of people involved in the shooting is also unclear. However, some of the people involved in the initial altercation may be among the hospitalized victims according to police.
Rogers confirmed that the investigation into the shooting incident is currently active.