Former student charged and wanted in shooting near Pasadena Memorial High School

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A search is underway for a former student charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in last Friday's shooting across the street from Pasadena Memorial High School.

The Pasadena Police Department released photos of 19-year-old Damian Alexander Saiz Monday afternoon.

Pasadena ISD said Saiz is a former student who last enrolled at Pasadena Memorial during the 2022-2023 school year and was absent the following year.

Siaz has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to witness video, at about 2:55 p.m. Friday, a massive fight broke out across the street from the school in the 4400 block of Crenshaw after early dismissal. The video is now part of the police investigation.

According to court records, Siaz arrived at the pre-planned fight with a firearm and opened fire several times, hitting both students, one in the arm and the other in the chest, causing a collapsed lung and broken rib.

On Friday night, police released an image from the witness video showing a Hispanic male, presumably Siaz, wearing sandals, black shorts, and a black hoodie with a red emblem. He had a gun in his hand. Police said he fled in a vehicle.

According to court documents, investigators believe Saiz and one of the shooting victims planned a fight on the ground of a church across the street from the school last Friday.

The records also allege that after Saiz allegedly shot the two teens during the fight, he hopped in the would-be getaway car.

He allegedly demanded another teen, who was behind the wheel of the car, to drive him away from the crime scene, threatening to shoot him if he didn't comply.

Court records show that the teen drove Saiz away from the shooting but later cooperated with investigators, identifying Saiz from a photo lineup.

The charging documents also state that one teen was shot in the chest and was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

However, the other teen was shot in the arm, and when police showed up at a local hospital to interview him, that teen refused to cooperate.

Police urge the public not to make contact with Siaz if seen, as he is considered armed and dangerous.

"We encourage anyone who knows any information regarding the incident or information regarding those involved to contact Pasadena PD or Pasadena ISD PD. If they do not feel comfortable coming forward, they can leave a message on the district's Anonymous Alert System," the district said on Monday.

Pasadena ISD also said there will be a large police presence on campus, including district police, Pasadena Police Department, Precinct 8 constables, and crisis counselors.

The district added, "As always, safety is our top priority, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure students and staff are safe."

Police are seeking assistance in locating Siaz. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department at 713-477-1221 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

On Monday, another fight occurred, but the district called it a "minor altercation that was quickly contained" and unrelated to Friday's shooting.

Still, it's been a challenging time for that community over the last month.

In early February, 83-year-old suspect Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr. was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he entered the school through the back door during the Texas Color Guard Circuit drumline competition and then opened fire, police said.

Brandl told authorities he was worried he was under attack and feared for his life. One person was shot but has since been released from the hospital.