Crime
2 teenagers dead, others wounded in shooting at pop-up party in Houston makeshift club
The suspect reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.
Houston, Texas – A late-night shooting at a pop-up party in a makeshift club on Saturday left two teenagers dead and three others injured, Houston police reported.
The shooting occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. in the 10100 block of Jensen Drive.
According to Assistant Police Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra, Houston Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire at a makeshift club hosting a pop-up party.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene as a large crowd of people fled the location. Several individuals were found at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds.
A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 16-year-old girl, identified as A’zirya, was transported to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Three additional victims were injured in the shooting:
- A 13-year-old girl remains hospitalized in critical condition.
- A 19-year-old woman, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, sought medical attention on her own at a local hospital.
- The age and condition of the fifth victim remain unclear at this time.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect or provided information on a potential suspect vehicle.
The motive behind the shooting is currently unknown, and investigators are working to gather additional evidence.
The Houston Police Department has asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
The tragic incident has shaken the local community, prompting calls for answers and justice for the victims. “This senseless violence cost two young lives and injured others who were simply trying to enjoy a social gathering,” said Assistant Chief Menendez-Sierra during a press briefing.
The Houston Police Department is urging witnesses or anyone with information about the shooting to contact their homicide division at 713-308-3600 or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
The investigation remains active, and police are working diligently to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.