Burger Joint Shooting

Burger Joint Shooting?

A tragic shooting occurred near the University of Houston, nestled within the Third Ward community. The air was heavy with humidity and the streetlights painted an eerie luminescence upon the now empty parking lot.?

It was a hot summer night when I exited my cruiser. I could feel beads of sweat running down my back underneath my vest. My senses sharpened as I drew nearer to a cluster of individuals, gathered closely together. Their expressions were those of individuals being haunted on a moonlit Halloween night.?

Amidst the group, one person ventured forward, appearing ready to recount the chilling sights they had just encountered.

The witness, a young woman named Keisha, looked visibly shaken. I could see the fear in her eyes as she recounted what happened.?She explained that she was at the burger joint?“waiting in line for some late-night grub” when she noticed a heated argument unfolding between two men ordering in front of her.

According to Keisha’s account, the victim, a man she vaguely recognized from the neighborhood, seemed to be trying to walk away from the escalating confrontation.?She mentioned that the suspect, a man with a distinctive tattoo, “713” on his forearm, appeared agitated and angry. As the victim turned to leave, the suspect pulled out a handgun and began firing at him, hitting him multiple times.

Keisha recalled the terrifying sound of gunshots ringing out in the night, causing panic and chaos amongst?the bystanders. Keisha stated that the suspect made an escape in a white Mustang with unreadable paper plates. The victim’s friend rushed him to the Medical Center, where he dropped off the gravely wounded victim at the Emergency Center's driveway.?

I could see Keisha’s hands trembling as she continued her story. Unconsciously, Keisha rubbed her ears due to the sound of the gunshots that were right in front of her. Her ears were still ringing. She mentioned the burger joint patrons scrambling for cover, trying to shield themselves from the gunfire. The fear and confusion left everyone deeply shaken.

As Keisha finished her statement, I thanked her for bravely coming forward to share what she had witnessed. I offered her medical attention and she declined. It was evident that she had experienced a traumatic event, and I assured her that her cooperation would be crucial in helping us find and apprehend the suspect responsible for this senseless act of violence.

After we patrolled the area and was unsuccessful in locating the suspect, I returned to the station. I meticulously documented Keisha’s statement and other gathered evidence, hoping that the details she provided would lead us to the suspect and bring justice to the victim's family.?

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind, knowing that such tragedies happen daily and always have a lasting impact on the community.

As an officer, it's my duty to serve and protect, but it's also a reminder of the importance of mental illness and how someone can be tethering on edge, and “something as simple as interrupting a person while ordering a burger can trigger violence beyond comprehension.” - the burger joint owner’s statement.?

I vow to continue working tirelessly to keep our streets safe and free from violence, in the hope that someday, such tragedies would begin to lessen and more people will begin to seek help before they’ve reached their limits.?

Mental illness should never be taken lightly. Seek help immediately if you suffer with anxiety, depression or any forms of mental health disorders.?

Thank you for reading!?