3 teens shot at rented house party in west Harris County, sheriff says
KATY, Texas - Authorities are piecing together what led up to a shooting during a party in west Harris County.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says deputies were called to a shooting at a home used as a short-term rental for a party in the 21100 block of Bridge Springs Ln in Katy around 11:30 p.m. We're told around 200 people, mostly teenagers, were there for a party when someone opened fire.
They were in the backyard," said neighbor Jim Shinabarger. "You could see with the door wide open that the house itself was full. I knew that the house had been empty, so I called 911. I thought maybe they just broke into the house."
Shinabarger says he was on the phone with dispatch when he heard six shots ring out and asked for EMS when he saw at least one teen suffering from a gunshot wound.
The party was pitched a homecoming for Paetow High School and marketed on social media resulting in teens from several area-schools coming.
At some point during the party, an argument broke out, which escalated into a fight between two groups when someone opened fire. Three teenage boys, two 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old, were hit while trying to run away. Two of them were rushed to a hospital in stable condition, while a third was taken before officials arrived.
"Things like this keep happening, and now that it’s getting this close to home, I’m very uncomfortable with that you know what I mean? I don’t like that. This is my house, my comfort area," said neighbor Mason Rowe.
Additionally, the shooter took off before officers arrived, and do not have a description, but a search is underway. The owner tells FOX 26 that the home was rented through a private transaction and would have never allowed the rental if he knew such a large party would take place.
Regardless how the home was rented out, Shinabarger says it should have never happened in the first place adding, It’s crazy. It’s just insane, but you know, this Airbnb stuff for short term rentals, that’s just crazy to let that go on. They need to stop it."
Sheriff Gonzalez also is urging anyone with information on the incident to call them at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.