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Texas vigil shooting: 1 dead, 14 injured after gunman fires at crowd in Baytown

The suspect has not been identified yet, but Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has asked people to come forward if they have any information

BAYTOWN, TEXAS: One person died and several others suffered injuries after one fired at a group of people gathered at a celebration of life, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Around 50-60 people were at the 1400 block of N Market Loop in Baytown when the incident happened.

Speaking with KHOU 11 after the tragedy, Gonzalez said it was not exactly clear who the crowd was celebrating, but most probably it was an adult who died recently. People had just begun to release balloons in the air in the evening of Sunday, December 12, when someone fired bullets at them. One victim lost their life at an area hospital while at least 14 were wounded.

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Taking to Twitter, Gonzalez wrote: “Update to shooting on N. Market Loop: told the number of wounded individuals is now up to 14; 1 has been pronounced deceased, 3 being taken by Lifeflight in critical condition, and the remaining ones are said to have non/fatal injuries. #HouNews.”

An earlier tweet from him read: “@HCSOTexas units responded to 1403 N Market Loop. Preliminary info: a large crowd gathered for a celebration of life. A vehicle approached and someone from the vehicle began shooting into the crowd. At least 8 people sustained injuries; 7 are non-fatal, but one has been pronounced at a hospital. Homicide & Crime Scene Investigators are en route. #HouNews.”

The sheriff also shared his fear that some of the injured could be kids. The suspect has not been identified yet, but Gonzalez has asked people to come forward if they have any information and call HCSO or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). 

A number of people reacted to the violent news as a person commented below the sheriff's statement to the media, “Death at celebration of life. Some people take this 'Irony' thing too far.” Another one said, “It says alot about how bad society has become when a celebration of life event turns deadly.”

“What is wrong with humans ?????????” a user asked. Another user added: “Not sure if gang affiliation? A celebration of life and open fire in drive by. Who doesn't think that this is gang affiliation? No one. This is what happens when you defund and vilify the police department. Criminals run the streets and until the community comes forward to stop it this kind of stuff will continue. Snitches get stitches has to stop, kids are affected and no one should be held hostage in their own communities.”

A user tweeted, “Probably gang related in my opinion.” The second one shared, “@lookner This will be gang related.  Funerals/memorials are good places to get people you want dead together. Hood shit.” “This is what happens when a Democrat is in power and advocates for defunding the police #BackTheBlue #KeepTexasRed,” the third user added.

This comes a few weeks after a 15-year-old boy opened fire in his school that claimed the lives of four and wounded eight others, including a teacher. Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley opened fire just after the lunch break on November 30, killing 16-year-old Tate Myre; Hanna St Julian, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; 16-year-old Justin Shilling. But luckily, the accused was detained soon after the incident. A 9mm Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol was also found at the scene.

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.