Houston gun violence: 2 people were killed in separate shootings on Liberty Road hours apart on a violent night in Bayou City

HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) — Two people were killed in separate shootings just blocks apart in Fifth Ward over a two-hour period Saturday night. This was part of a violent night in Bayou City that included a total of eight shootings, resulting in four deaths.

The Houston Police Department said it received the first call around 8:30 p.m. near Liberty Road and Staples Street.

Upon arrival, officers found a woman in a car with multiple gunshot wounds who died after being taken to hospital.

About two hours after their investigation, police said they heard gunshots just a few blocks east. Going to the second shooting near Liberty Road and Hutton Street, officers saw a large crowd dispersing and found a man shot dead. They say there was also another victim who drove himself to the hospital and is now in stable condition.

During the first scene, HPD said they saw a car approach them from the direction of the second shooting just before a police chase unfolded. Cameras captured the moment officers and detectives drew guns and shouted orders at a man who was searching crime scene tape.

“One person ran away from that scene. So the officers followed this person. But they couldn’t find him. They established a perimeter. They also claimed a K9 unit and a helicopter. But they couldn’t find him at all,” HPD Asst. said Chief Yasar Bashir.

The two people in the car were interrogated and released. Police said they found a gun, but there’s no indication they had anything to do with the murder.

HPD acknowledged how alarmed neighbors are at the amount of violence that has occurred in a matter of hours.

“It’s definitely a problem for our officers because they’re out here doing their job and then you hear gunshots. It’s definitely a problem. But for tonight, we already have our crime-suppression teams. We will increase our police presence in the area, especially if you have a lot of neighbors. They’re watching us,” Bashir said.

HPD said they do not believe the two shootings are related and have not determined what the motives might be or who the suspects are. Identification of victims is being withheld until families are notified.

If you have any information regarding these cases, please contact the HPD’s Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.

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