Man killed in drive-by shooting at gas station was not intended target: Harris County deputies

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Dozens of shots were fired outside of a north Harris County gas station Thursday night, leaving an innocent man dead. Investigators say he wasn't the intended target.

A north Harris Co. community is now on the edge after hearing the news.

Investigators say a man was killed at a gas station on Ella Boulevard across the street from the scene of another homicide that occurred on Oct. 2.

However, some people who live in the community feel like nothing is being done about it.

Deputies told ABC13 that the victim was sitting outside of the station at the time of the shooting in the 15300 block of Ella Boulevard in north Harris County.

Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators say they believe the intended targets were walking out of the station when the shooting started. It appears there were multiple shooters. That's based on the amount of evidence markers on the ground.

ABC13 saw at least 31 markers on the ground, and investigators estimated anywhere from 15 to 20 shell casings were located.

Once deputies made it to the scene at about 9:45 p.m., they found the 69-year-old man already dead. He was identified as Ernest Brookes.

He posted up in front of the Shop 'n Save parking lot on Ella Boulevard, according to a woman who says she took Brookes in 18 years ago when he was homeless.

"He hung at that store for over 20 years. That was his peace of just getting away. He didn't know anything but that store, even though he witnesses a lot of things. He never thought anything would happen to him because he never did nobody no wrong," the woman said.

Now, the search is on to find the shooters, but investigators don't have a good description. A dark-colored car was spotted heading east towards I-45.

Investigators describe the area, which is just down the street from Bammel Middle School, as high crime. A gas station across the street had a deadly shooting last month and another one back in January.

"We have had multiple homicides in this exact location in the past year, so whether that's related to these shootings or the crime in the neighborhood is hard to say right now," Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jason Brown said.

ABC13 has reported 10 shootings within a 4-mile radius of this gas station since the end of January. A total of six were fatal.

Four of these shootings have happened in the last nine weeks, and three were deadly.

"You just don't know who to go to or who to trust. it is just like it's hopeless.... helpless," the woman said.

When ABC13 asked the Harris County Sheriff's office what's being done, they sent the following response.

"The HCSO is familiar with this location and is aware of the increase in violent crime. We have executed a comprehensive plan that includes multiple agencies and divisions within the Sheriff's Office that continue to work to deter the criminal element."

"Everybody in this area that has been here all these years we are just like family. It is the outsiders. The new people, the young people that's coming over here and causing all this unnecessary chaos, but I want to say Ernest Brookes is going to be missed deeply," the woman said.

A silver truck was spotted near the shooting scene, and investigators think that person may have important information. If you know anything about the incident, you're urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office.