Incident at 13000 North Freeway

February 18, 2007 -- Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman at 13000 North Freeway (Interstate 45) service road about 11 a.m. on Saturday (February 17).

The victim, 17, suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was taken to St. Joseph Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her identity is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant C.E. Elliott and Officer J.C. Bonaby reported:

The victim was the front right seat passenger in a green Honda Accord that was traveling south on the North Freeway service road from Rankin Road. A juvenile male, 15, sitting in the back seat, behind the victim, was handling a semiautomatic pistol when it discharged. The bullet penetrated the front seat and struck the victim.

The driver of the vehicle and suspect took the victim to a local hospital. The driver, witnesses and suspect initially lied about how the shooting occurred, but after questioning changed their stories and told the truth. The pistol was said to be thrown out of the vehicle near the North Shepherd curve, however a search of the area was not successful.

No charges have been filed in this case at this time and the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information regarding this case or the location of the pistol is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

GO/JFC 2-18-07
Inc #024012807

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.