Family Dollar worker ambushed leaving store, uncle shot & killed

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police say a Family Dollar worker was ambushed as he was leaving the store on Greens Road in north Houston.

The incident happened around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to police. The worker had walked outside the store to get something from his car when he was ambushed by the gunman.

The suspect tried to shoot the worker, but that worker was able to dodge the bullets. However, police say the worker's uncle, who was identified as 30-year-old Willie James Woods Jr., was there and was shot in the crossfire. Woods was pronounced dead at the scene.

SEE ALSO: Harris County district attorney says rising murder rate highlights urgent need for jury trials

The store was closed at the time and the workers were closing up for the night and restocking. No one else was hurt.

Police said the shooter left in a light-colored sedan.

While there is no motive for the shooting, police believe the store worker was targeted.

SEE ALSO: 13 Investigates: Fighting 'trigger pullers' keeps sky high murder rate from getting 'worse'

Wednesday night's shooting comes in as the city of Houston is seeing a surge in violent crimes and murders.

From January to May of this year alone, the city saw 146 murders, an 84% increase since 2019, according to a 13 Investigates analysis of Houston Police data.

As the city grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, homicides rose 42% over 2019 and 30,000 more crimes were reported in 2020.