Two people injured by gunfire after car accident leads to shootout in SE Houston, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man was shot during a shootout on the 610 South Loop near Cullen early Sunday morning. Investigators say two drivers were on the way to the bank to pay for an accident when one of them tried to drive off.

It was a terrifying morning for Fred Carroll, who lives in the area and says he was hanging out with some friends at the gas station nearby.

"We just heard screeching like cars were street racing. But then we heard gunshots. Everybody took off and ran in different directions. Bullets have no names. I hopped in a girl's car who I don't even know," said Carroll. "We came back and saw the cars just sitting there stuck with the doors open."

Houston Police say it all started at about 3 a.m. with a minor crash between a black Chevy Monte Carlo and a white Pontiac Grand Prix near a club in southeast Houston.

"They agreed as to damages that would be paid. They followed each other to go to a local bank and get some money to pay for those damages," said Det. Deanna Crandall.

However, investigators say the black Monte Carlo with two people inside reportedly tried to take off and leave the other car along the way. The white Grand Prix with three people inside allegedly chased them and then shot at the black vehicle while on the feeder road of the 610 South Loop near Cullen.

When the occupants of the black car fired back, they allegedly hit the driver of the white car in the head and injured the passenger from the bullet fragments.

Witnessing something like this in his neighborhood, Carroll says gun violence is never the answer.

"We don't need it going down like this. We tired of the violence," Carroll said.

The two people hurt in the shooting are expected to be okay. Investigators say they are still looking for the two people in the black car who took off from the scene.

If you have any information, you're asked to contact HPD at (713) 884-3131 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.