HOUSTON, TX – A 13-year-old boy was killed during a shooting at a southeast Houston apartment complex early Thursday morning, accentuating security concerns amid ongoing power outages from Hurricane Beryl.
The incident, which took place around 12:47 a.m. at the Plaza at Hobby Airport apartments at 8501 Broadway, marks one of the several violent episodes that have rocked Harris County since the hurricane disrupted the power supply to over a million residents.
As per reports from the Houston Police Department, an unidentified gunman fired several shots through a bedroom window. The bullets struck the teenager multiple times. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the boy was ultimately pronounced dead.
Witnesses described the shooting suspect as a man in his 20s, last seen wearing a dark, hooded sweater and light-colored sweatpants, fleeing toward the north side of the complex.
Since Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday, local authorities have been struggling with widespread violence, with eight reported shootings that have resulted in two law enforcement officers and five civilians being shot. The dire circumstances led to the death of a 28-year-old deputy from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office among others.
To combat the spike in violence and address the power-related disruptions, reinforcements have been summoned. “A total of 100 officers from around the state will be joining us for the next four days to assist and work in partnership with our officers in the field, keeping everybody safe,” confirmed Satterwhite.
The community, deeply shaken by this incident, is urged to provide any information they might have. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for relevant tips leading to arrests in these felony cases.
Authorities hope these measures will stem the tide of violence and restore security to the beleaguered city.