A Bellaire HS student is in custody tonight in the shooting death of a fellow student on campus Tuesday afternoon. The shocking incident has led Houston ISD to cancel Wednesday classes and a community group to plan a vigil for Wednesday night.
Bellaire police said the suspect and a young male companion were taken into custody at 7:38 p.m. Tuesday. ABC-13 aired video of the two being arrested after apparently hiding behind a convenience store dumpster at Chimney Rock Road and Caversham Street in Meyerland, about two miles from the campus. It was not immediately clear how the second person arrested is connected to the investigation.
First responders from Bellaire, West University and Houston rushed to the high school at 5000 Maple St. after receiving a 911 call at 4 p.m. reporting that one student had been shot and the suspect had fled.
The 16-year-old victim was transported by Bellaire Fire Department paramedics to Ben Taub Hospital, where he died. Authorities searched the school and neighborhood, with Bellaire police warning bystanders to stay away from the scene and residents to stay in their homes.
Interim HISD Superintendent Grenita Lathan arrived on the Bellaire campus and briefly addressed reporters before dashing back into the building without taking questions. As she left the media, a parent shouted questions at her about safety on the campus, where there had already been reports of two gun incidents in the current school year. During her remarks, Lathan said Bellaire police were in charge of the investigation.
Although Lathan said classes would resume Wednesday, the district quickly reversed that decision and canceled school until Thursday. Faculty and support staff will still report for duty Wednesday.
The Evelyn’s Park Conservancy announced it would host a non-denominational community vigil on the Great Lawn of the park, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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