It happened near the 13500 block of Schumann Trail in the Orchard Lake Estates subdivision in Sugar Land around 1:45 a.m.
Neighbors called 911 saying they heard arguing and gunshots and saw a man lying in the street.
Police said two men got into an argument outside of a home before 28-year-old Lewis Carothers shot the other man.
"He ran inside, told his parents what happened and came back and waited for us," said an officer.
The friend was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he had surgery. Carothers was taken to Fort Bend County jail.
"Resorting to violence during an argument is never the right choice," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "We're glad no one else was injured."
He is in stable condition and expected to survive.