Harris County, TX – Two teenagers are dead, and three others were injured after a shooting at a “pop-up party” on Saturday, December 14.
The party, held in Houston, was a teen pop-up event, and the shooting occurred late Saturday night.
Reportedly, the party was heavily advertised on social media.
Police responded to the shooting at the 10100 block of Jensen Drive at around 11:20 p.m. after shots were fired in a “makeshift club,” which was packed with juveniles.
Officers described the scene as chaotic when authorities arrived, with a large crowd of teenagers running out of the makeshift club, which was an empty warehouse.
At the scene, police found a 16-year-old boy deceased and a critically injured 14-year-old girl, who later died at the hospital from her injuries.
Three other teenagers were also shot and are currently being treated at Texas Children’s Hospital. They include a 13-year-old girl in critical condition and two other girls, aged 16 and 19, who sustained non-fatal wounds.
Police reported that the suspect had fled the scene by the time they arrived.
The local sheriff issued a statement, warning that unsanctioned pop-up parties like these can quickly spiral into chaos and violence, as they are often organized hastily through social media. He emphasized that such events raise significant public safety concerns and urged teens to avoid attending them.
The mayor, who visited the scene after the shooting, stated that the party was entirely unregulated.
Police have now launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting. They have also called on the community for assistance.
Authorities are urging those who attended the party to come forward as witnesses and provide any information, no matter how small, that could help with the investigation.
