Crime
14 Shot, 1 Dead After Gunfire Erupts at Family Gathering on Cherryhill in Houston
Houston, TX — A family gathering turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted at a residence near Cherryhill Drive, close to South Loop and Mykawa Road, leaving 14 people shot, including one confirmed fatality, and several others critically wounded.
The Houston Police Department responded to a 911 call placed shortly before 1:00 a.m., reporting an active shooting.
Officers arrived on scene within three minutes and encountered ongoing gunfire as they secured the area.
According to Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu, the incident began during a family party at the residence.
Witnesses reported that an uninvited guest was asked to leave.
As he exited the gathering, the individual allegedly opened fire, prompting return gunfire from some of the residents.
“There were multiple scenes and several victims scattered throughout the property,” said Cantu. “It was chaotic from the start. Officers were still hearing gunshots when they arrived.”
Of the 14 individuals shot, one person was pronounced dead, and several others remain in critical condition, with some undergoing surgery.
Others sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition.
Emergency medical services transported many of the injured via ambulance, while others were self-transported by private vehicles, including three victims who were dropped off at a Jack-in-the-Box on Long Street near Loop 610.
As of now, several individuals have been detained for questioning, but it has not yet been confirmed whether the suspected shooter is among them.
Police are actively working to process multiple connected crime scenes and gather witness statements.
The Houston Police Department is urging anyone who attended the party or may have relevant information to come forward.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600, or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
“Homicide detectives will begin releasing suspect information as it becomes available,” Cantu stated. “We are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the shooter.”
This remains an active investigation.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.