Crime
Teen Girl Fatally Shot Inside Vehicle on Gulf Bank Road, Suspect Fled the Scene
At this time, no arrests have been announced.
Houston, TX – A 16-year-old girl was found shot to death inside a vehicle early Wednesday morning in the Aldine area, prompting an active investigation by the Houston Police Department (HPD).
At approximately 3:00 a.m., HPD officers responded to reports of a vehicle stopped in the roadway near a wooded area along Gulf Bank Road.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 16-year-old Hailey Naive Toledo fatally shot in the front passenger seat of the car.
Authorities confirmed that at the time of the shooting, three young men were inside the vehicle with Toledo.
However, before police arrived, one of the individuals fled the scene, while the remaining two stayed behind and spoke with investigators.
HPD detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and identify the suspect who fled.
At this time, no arrests have been announced, and the motive remains unclear.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Houston Police Department or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
Authorities have identified the suspect in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of longtime Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
During an afternoon press conference, FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed that Phoenix Ikner was responsible for opening fire near the university’s Student Union Building, killing two individuals and injuring six others.
The incident unfolded around 11:50 a.m. on April 17, when the gunman began shooting on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said. Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital following the incident.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell detailed the law enforcement response, stating that officers confronted Ikner and opened fire when he failed to comply with commands.
He was subsequently subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the suspect is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, a veteran of the department with over 18 years of service.
“She has performed her duties with distinction,” McNeil stated, expressing support for Deputy Ikner during what he described as a devastating moment for her and the department.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun previously issued to Deputy Ikner before she transitioned to a new service weapon.
It was reportedly her personal firearm. Authorities also found a shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene, though it remains unclear whether it was discharged during the attack.
“We are continuing to investigate the role each weapon may have played and whether the suspect had access to additional firearms,” McNeil said.
Chief Revell added that Phoenix Ikner had been a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council and had participated in several law enforcement-related programs over the years.
“It’s not surprising to us that he had some level of access to firearms given his history within the agency’s youth programs,” Revell stated.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that Ikner has so far refused to cooperate with investigators or provide any explanation for his actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the investigation and has requested that anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information or media uploads related to the incident submit tips through their official website at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
FSU remains under heightened security as law enforcement continues to process the scene and gather evidence.