The Houston Police Department (HPD) believes there was more than one shooter involved in a shooting that happened in south Houston on Thursday evening and that left two children wounded.
“We do believe there was more than one shooter and there was more than one firearm used in this incident,” said HPD executive assistant chief Matt Slinkard during a press conference held on Friday morning by Mayor Sylvester Turner near the place where the shooting happened.
Slinkard reported that the 8 year-old boy that was injured, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, is still in critical condition and that his five year-old sister, who was wounded in one of her legs, continues to be medically treated.
The executive assistant chief added the leads HPD has at this moment “indicate that we are looking at a light colored vehicle.”
Slinkard explained investigators are canvasing all the businesses located in the area where the shooting happened and are also looking for any video recorded in the area.
Mayor Turner urged Houstonians to provide HPD with any information they may have regarding the shooting.
“Somebody knows the shooter or shooters,” Turner said while adding: “If you know something, you need to step up.”
“These are individuals who had no problem shooting our kids, and they are our kids,” the mayor emphasized, as he underlined that “we are gonna stand and we are gonna fight for our children” and assured: “this is not the new normal in the city of Houston.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner conduct a news conference about the disturbing drive-by shooting Thursday night https://t.co/wMjEY5Rm9m
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
According to initial reports, police believe the incident may have been a targeted drive-by shooting. It happened around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, on Scott Street near Wheeler Avenue.
They shot our children. If you have info you've got to give them up. Call Crime Stoppers st 713 222 TIPS. @crimestoppersTX
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
"The city does not belong to the criminal element. It belongs to us. @houstonpolice #houstonstrong
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
.@houstonpolice cannot do it alone. These individuals are people who have no problem harming our children. This is not where the "code of silence" applies about the suspects.
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
After#HurricaneHarvey we came together like never before. Now we need the same spirit where we help each other bring the shooters to justice.
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
My news conference: Somebody knows the shooter(s). I'm asking them to give the info to @houstonpolice.We will not provide haven to those who hurt children –or anyone else.
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
On Thursday evening, HPD executive assistant chief Troy Finner said that the siblings were sitting in their mother’s car when someone drove by and opened fire on the vehicle.
The mother had reportedly stepped into a nail salon across the street to check on the wait time before the shooting occurred.
Finner said an 11-year-old, also in the car, was not wounded.
Whether on our streets or in our schools we are going to stand and fight for the safety of our kids. Shooting our kids will not be the new normal! If you know something say something. st
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018
I will not tolerate heinous and cowardly acts of violence against innocent children. If you have information about tonight's double shooting of the 5 year-old and 8 year-old victims on Scott St., please call the authorities. We must work together to keep Houston safe.
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 2, 2018