Gunman who killed man headed to work went through victim's pockets before running off, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police are searching for a suspect after a man was fatally shot in southwest Houston on Tuesday morning during a possible robbery.

According to Houston police, an Uber driver was looking for his caller in the 10100 block of Forum West Drive around 5 a.m. when he saw a man lying on the ground.

He got out of his car and ran over to help the man, and that's when the Uber driver realized he wasn't responsive, HPD said.

The Uber driver called 911 and performed chest compressions until paramedics arrived, according to police.

When Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived, they discovered the 47-year-old man had been shot. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators talked to the victim's brother, who told them he left for his construction job around that time every day.

Det. Willis Huff with HPD homicide said investigators obtained surveillance video that shows the victim leaving his residence and heading to his car when a masked man wearing dark clothing walks up and shoots him.

After the victim falls to the ground, the video shows the suspect go through his pockets, take his belongings, and runoff, according to Huff.

Investigators believe the shooting was a robbery, though the exact motive is still under investigation.

Police said they are continuing to canvass the area and gather additional surveillance video.

Investigators did not release any further information about the victim.

Police describe the suspect as a man who is about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 145 pounds. The suspect wore a white facial mask, gray coat, dark pants, and black boots.

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

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Feb. 18, another man was found dead nearby at 9898 Forum Park Drive. That's less than half a mile away from Tuesday's scene.

Police responded to a deceased person call just before 9 a.m. and found the man unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds, sitting in the driver's seat of his car.

Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

According to the latest data from ABC13's Neighborhood Safety Tracker, there have been four reported homicides in the Forum Park area in the past 12 months.