Bizarre robbery turns into deadly shooting near school in west Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A transaction turned deadly in the middle of a west Houston intersection, playing out just feet from a school, and daycare.

At about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Houston police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Richmond Avenue and West Houston Center Blvd.

At the scene, officers found two men who were shot. One of them died on the scene. The second man was taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to police.

Police said the shooting stemmed from an altercation at the intersection between four men. One of the men shot was dumped out of a vehicle that tried to flee the scene, police said.

It all started at a nearby business. Officers said two friends met two other people to do a transaction.

Officers said they aren't sure what kind of transaction was happening, but one of the victims got into the suspect's vehicle when it took off. The other friend followed behind and approached the vehicle at the intersection, sensing it was a robbery.

Witnesses said that words were exchanged, "and then somebody from inside the vehicle shot our complainant," Houston Police detective Michel Estep explained.

The man who confronted the suspects in the intersection was shot twice. He ran toward the Alief ISD Center for Advanced Careers, where he collapsed on the property and died.

A daycare is located near the intersection as well. Parents who were picking up their kids said they had no idea what happened.

"The bullet could've gone through the building and one of our kids could've been hit," said parent, Fantasia Chapman. "It was just too close. It's very scary."

At this time, police said they are talking with witnesses and gathering surveillance video. They said the suspects are two men, but didn't have a better description.

They also haven't released information on the two men who were shot.

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