Harris County double murder: Two shot, killed at 21st birthday in Jacinto City
JACINTO CITY, Texas - At least two people were shot and killed at a large house party on Muscatine Street in Jacinto City.
According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the San Jacinto Police Department was dispatched to the 11000 block of Muscatine Street about a shooting around 1 a.m. At the scene, they found that more than 50 people, including a band in the backyard, were at a 21st birthday party.
"The first one was like boom, and then after that, it was like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom," said Laura Hearren, a neighbor.
Preliminary investigation revealed that shots were fired resulting in at least two people being shot and transported to a local hospital where they later died.
"Unfortunately, two young men lost their lives at a birthday party for again, what we’re looking at but probably just some petty verbal altercation," said Sergeant Michael Ritchie of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Both victims have been identified as Christian Rangel, 30, and Candelario Gonzalez Jr., 22.
A nearby neighbor tells FOX 26 that she heard vehicles leaving the scene.
"Then after the shots, I heard one car take off. It took off very fast," said Hearren. "Then, not very long later, there was another vehicle that took off. I mean driving very fast."
"It was a young lady celebrating her 21st birthday and, unfortunately for her, I think every birthday this will come to her mind," said Ritchie.
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There is no word on whether the two deceased were partygoers or if they were involved.
HCSO says there is possibly a third victim who was shot, but the investigation is still ongoing.