1 child dead, 4 injured after shooting at Pearland flea market
PEARLAND (CBSNewsTexas.com/AP) – Police are investigating a deadly shooting at a popular flea market south of Houston.
A 10-year-old boy was killed and four others were hurt when shots rang out through Cole's Flea Market in the Pearland area around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Authorities do not believe it was a targeted attack, saying it likely resulted from a dispute between two visitors who did not know each other. The two people, and possibly a third person, exchanged gunfire with handguns inside the market, police said.
Police believe they have identified two men related to the shooting. An arrest warrant has since been issued for David Negrete, 19, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is considered armed and dangerous.
The victims were all taken to an area hospital. Two of the victims, a 14-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man, were in stable condition while a 16-year-old boy was in surgery Monday, according to Pearland police. A 37-year-old man was treated and later released from a hospital.
Police say the 10-year-old, 14-year-old and 37-year-old were bystanders.
Pearland police Officer Chad Rogers said investigators are trying to determine if two of the people injured — the 16-year-old boy and and the 18-year-old man — were involved in the shooting.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the State of Texas is offering a $10,000 reward for information pertaining to the shooting. Brazoria County Crime Stoppers is also offering a $5,000 reward.
Texas mourns the loss of a precious child in Pearland last night.
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 13, 2023
I ask all Texans to join me in praying for their family and for those injured.
Texas is offering a $15,000 reward for information that brings the perpetrators to justice.
More: https://t.co/kZstVA9rz1 pic.twitter.com/cVQSQLgfaE
Police ask that if you have information about the shooting, call their tip line at (281)997-5828.
***UPDATE (9:30 pm)***
— Pearland Police (@PearlandPD) November 13, 2023
It has been confirmed that one of the juvenile victims has died of their injuries. https://t.co/YNKRQvNpz3
Pearland is about 20 miles south of Houston.