Crime
One Dead, Six Injured in Shooting During Large Gathering at Crosby Gas Station in Harris County
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS – A tragic shooting incident late Saturday night in northeast Harris County has left one person dead and six others injured, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. at a gas station located on Crosby-Lynchburg Road near the Crosby Freeway.
Deputies responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find a chaotic scene, with nearly 100 individuals gathered in the parking lot.
Authorities believe the crowd had gathered for what may have been a community benefit event.
According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a total of seven individuals—five males and two females—ranging in age from 16 to 25 years old, sustained gunshot wounds.
Two of the victims were airlifted to local trauma centers due to the severity of their injuries, while the remaining five were transported to hospitals either by ambulance or private vehicle.
One female victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The identities of the deceased and the injured have not been released at this time, pending family notifications.
Investigators are actively working to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The weapon or weapons used in the shooting have also not been recovered.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the shooting are encouraged to contact HCSO at 713-274-9100, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
This remains an active investigation. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.