A 17-year-old Westbury High School student was shot and killed Friday morning near the Houston ISD campus, according to the Houston Police Department. The shooting occurred at about 8:21 a.m. near the end of Dryad Street, close to Westbury High School in southwest Houston, police said. Chief Noe Diaz of HPD said the location is where students reportedly meet before school each morning.
“Someone came out of a wooded area nearby at a nearby [apartment] complex and from that we believe some words were exchanged and someone produced a handgun and unfortunately someone lost their life as a result of what I call a cowardly act,” Diaz said during a press conference Friday morning.
The Shooting and Its Setting
As of Friday morning, the deceased had not been named, though police confirmed he was a 17-year-old senior of Westbury High School. A suspect had not been found, and Diaz said investigators “have an idea of who we’re looking for.”.
The district confirmed the school was operating in “Secure” mode “while HPD investigates an incident in the area.”, and said the high school was not placed in lockdown and classes had resumed.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is helping with the inquiry, according to Diaz.
Diaz’s Account of the Incident
Diaz described the act as “cowardly” during his press conference. He said the shooting happened after someone emerged from a wooded area near an apartment complex, words were exchanged, and a handgun was produced.
Investigators are examining the case, and during that time the school was put into Secure mode. By Friday morning, though, classes had resumed.
No name has been given for the person suspected of involvement, and the identity of the person harmed has not been publicly revealed.
The Known Facts
- The victim was a 17-year-old senior at Westbury High School.
- The shooting happened at approximately 8:21 a.m. at the end of Dryad Street.
- A suspect was not in custody, but investigators “have an idea of who we’re looking for.”
- Classes had resumed, and the school was operating in Secure mode.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety is assisting with the investigation.
The story will continue to develop.
Source material: “Houston ISD student dead following shooting outside Westbury High School,” Houston Public Media.
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