HOUSTON – A man is now in the hospital after he was reportedly shot while walking to his car after leaving the rodeo Wednesday night.
According to investigators, a couple was returning to their car which was parked on the other side of the 610 South Loop, off Interchange Drive.
When they got to the parking lot, they noticed someone had broken into their car. As they were looking at the damage, they said a man came up to them and asked for their cell phone.
The couple told the man no, which caused him to leave them alone for a brief moment.
He quickly returned to the area, armed with a gun, and demanded other items.
Houston police said there was some sort of tussle between the men, and that’s when the suspect fired two shots.
The victim was hit by gunfire, and the suspect fled the scene.
Police say that the suspected shooter left behind a shoe and vape.
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The victim was taken to a hospital where he’s expected to be OK.
KPRC2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with HPD Sr. Officer, Roderick Stanfield. He said its common for thieves to target off-site parking locations during big events.
“They see a big crowd. You see cars. You see people with purses and money. So they. There’s an opportunity for robbers to take advantage of it. It’s just safer to park in the designated areas, the parking lots, the garages. It’s just not safe to park in dark areas,” said Stanfield.
Stanfield said if someone is trying to rob you, expect that they may have a weapon.
“It is human nature to to fight back and to want to hold on to your property. But you have to think, is it worth my life or worth getting hurt for a purse, I can replace a purse, but not my life,” said Stanfield.
If someone robs you, yell and take mental notes of what they are wearing and what they look like.
If you know anything about the shooting, you’re asked to call Houston police.