Disgruntled lawyer injures 9 in strip center shooting in SW Houston
HOUSTON -- A lawyer armed with several weapons opened fire at a southwest Houston strip center, injuring nine people before he was shot and killed by officers, police said.
A bomb squad cleared a vehicle near the scene. The Porsche in question is registered to Nathan Desai.
Desai has been identified as a local attorney. KTRK has been in contact with Desai's father and former law partner.
SKYEYE VIDEO: Don Armstrong reports from above the scene of the active shooter situation
One source told KTRK that the vehicle was found filled with weapons.
HFD says six people were taken to area hospitals after they were injured by the shooter. Three were treated at the scene for injuries from broken glass, and released.
One victim is in critical condition with a gunshot wound, according to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Additionally, one victim is in fair condition and three are in good condition.
Two people were taken to Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute and another three were taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. A sixth patient was transported to Ben Taub.
A shelter-in-place had been ordered for the West University area shortly before HPD confirmed the alleged shooter was shot by one of its officers. It was lifted hours later, as the investigation progressed.
West University Elementary School said it would open on time in spite of the shooting investigation.
Weslayan remains closed to traffic while officers investigate.
VIDEO: Witness says he was nearly shot at strip center
Weslayan Shooting Timeline
- 6:29am: HFD dispatched to corner of Weslayan and Bissonnet
- 6:32am: First unit arrives, determines active shooter situation
- 7:02am: Suspect down (per police scanner)
At around 6:30 a.m., HFD scanners reported a suspect was at a strip center firing upon vehicles.
"We received a call at 6:29 that we had a shooting at the Petco store...the first units were directed to the parking lot where the shooting was still active," HFD's Jay Evans said.
SKYEYE VIDEO: Don Armstrong updates situation on Weslayan at Bissonnet
Emergency vehicles flooded the area around the strip center bordered by Weslayan, Bissonnet and Law Street.
Antwon Wilson witnessed the shooting and told KTRK he was shaken up after being caught in the crossfire.
VIDEO: Witness describes active shooter situation in SW Houston
"I literally heard the gunshots past my face," Wilson said. "It's a hard pill to swallow."
Wilson said there was a steady shooting back and forth as officers worked to bring the active shooting situation to a close.
Police concentrated much of their focus during the shooting on an apartment complex on nearby Law Street, located behind the strip center.
VIDEO: Woman says bullets hit her vehicle during shooting
VIDEO: Father describes the shooting
VIDEO: One of the youngest witnesses talks about what he saw
Governor Greg Abbott encouraged his Twitter followers to pray for the Houston shooting victims.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, meantime, expressed his sorrow for the victims of the shooting.
