Person in yellow and black costume opens fire, kills 20-year-old in downtown, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- More than 13 hours after shots were fired in downtown Houston, the police department revealed the killing took place when the victim approached two strangers, including the suspect, who was wearing a yellow and black costume with a tail and a hoodie.

According to the Houston Police Department, the 20-year-old victim was part of a group of four relatives that had visited several bars downtown before the altercation occurred on Austin Street near Lamar at about 1:20 a.m. Thursday. They clarified that those businesses had nothing to do with the incident.

Surveillance video showed the victim being held back by a second person while walking towards two people with a tripod in the road. As they got close, the shooter opened fire at the victim and hit him twice in the chest. He died after being transported to Ben Taub Hospital.

"Words were exchanged. Things started to escalate and were getting heated," HPD Commander Christopher Hassig said.

During an afternoon news conference, HPD leadership described the suspected shooter as white, of an unknown gender, who sported long hair. The person who was with the suspect was a white male with long black hair who wore a pink or orange T-shirt.

Investigations said they don't have evidence at this time that indicates the two groups knew each other.

Police added that the persons of interest left in a white Mazda3 hatchback that may be a 2019-2024 model, with three stickers on the back-left window and a fourth on the rear window.

HPD made a plea to the persons of interest to come forward to give their side of what took place.

Chief Troy Finner emphasized that the shooting was an isolated incident and that downtown is safe.