Young man found shot to death inside high-rise elevator near University of Houston, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A person living in a Third Ward high-rise apartment complex made a gruesome discovery overnight.

A resident on the 17th floor was waiting for the elevator when the doors opened up, revealing the body of a man in his 20s who had been shot several times. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another resident on the sixth floor, who also reported seeing the body, spoke only on ABC13.

"I went to the elevator, and whenever it opened, I just saw a body. He looked pretty lifeless," the student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. "I didn't even want to look around. I just ran to my apartment and locked the door."

Police said numerous shell casings were found in the elevator, and multiple pistols were recovered from the scene.

The student on the sixth floor saw the body and said there were two guns in the elevator and extra ammunition.

Police said the shooting happened at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday at the Haven at Elgin apartments on Elgin Street near Milby Street. The high-rise is right across the street from the University of Houston campus and houses a lot of students from UH and Texas Southern University.

The Houston Police Department believes the shooting happened when the elevator was on the first floor of the building.

"We don't know if it was a robbery. We don't know if it was gang-related. (We're) not real sure what exactly occurred," Lt. R. Wilkens said.

Security guards reported hearing multiple gunshots. They then saw two men running away, possibly armed with pistols, according to HPD.

At a press conference Wednesday, police said a 17-year-old was also shot, and a third person was seen running from the scene.

The 17-year-old is expected to be OK, and police said he's being questioned. Investigators believe all parties involved knew each other.

"This was a targeted isolated incident. We do not feel there is a general threat to the public, UH students, or TSU students," HPD Commander Christopher Hassigs said.

Investigators have not released the identity of the victim. It's unclear if he was a student or if he lived at the high-rise. HPD said it's also unclear if he was a victim or a suspect in a possible robbery.

Wilkens said the two suspects who fled the scene may have also been shot. Police were checking local hospitals for gunshot victims.

The shooting left students who live in the area shaken up.

"To stress about finals and then to not even feel safe in your own home to get away from your school responsibilities, it's really tough. I'm honestly scared for my friend to go home," Jahlyn Blacklock, whose friend lives in the building, said.

HPD said there was another shooting overnight at a gas station close to the high-rise. Investigators are working to determine if the two incidents are connected.

The Haven at Elgin apartments are fairly new. Back in August, several UH students contacted Action 13 after their move-in date was pushed back. The students, who couldn't find another place to live before classes began, were placed in emergency on-campus housing.

SEE ALSO: UH off-campus apartment pushes back move-in date for students, causing several to be unhoused

Management said furniture installation and a final inspection caused the delay. On top of that, students reported multiple safety concerns after moving in, specifically, car break-ins and tire thefts.

HPD confirmed multiple calls of service regarding car break-ins and said six days before the shooting, a resident was robbed at gunpoint.

The apartments are not affiliated with UH.

"They definitely have the scenery of living a luxurious life, but it's definitely not a luxurious life. It's definitely a war zone," said another student who also wanted to remain anonymous.

Police said the 17-year-old in the hospital is not a student at either TSU or UH.

It's unclear how the suspects gained access to the building.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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