2 killed, 22 wounded in shooting at house party in Texas

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2 killed, 22 wounded in shooting at house party in Texas

(Xinhua) 08:10, November 11, 2013

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HOUSTON, Nov. 10 -- Two people were killed and 22 others were wounded late Saturday when gunfire erupted at a massive house party in Houston suburb of Cypress, authorities said Sunday.

The incident happened between 11:00 p.m. and midnight (1700 GMT and 1800 GMT) when more than 100 people, mostly young adults, were celebrating a birthday at a home in Cypress, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said in a statement released early Sunday.

Pools of blood were visible outside the two-story brick home Sunday morning, and the garage door was bent after people had pushed it upward while trying to escape.

Teenager Shaniqua Brown who attended the party told the Houston Chronicle, the largest daily newspaper in Texas, the United States that Saturday evening's birthday party "was not rowdy at all," and many people were dancing when they heard the shots.

Gunshots began in the house and continued outside as people ran into the streets seeking cover, according to the 17-year-old. She said she saw one gunman when she ran outside. She didn't elaborate on that.

A man and a woman were killed in the shooting. One died at the party and the other died later at a hospital. A total of 22 were injured, several of whom were not shot but were hurt while trying to escape.

Some of the victims were shot in the foot or ankle. Others were shot in the hip, Thomas Gilliland, spokesman with the Sheriff's Office said. Most of the injured aged from 17 to 20 were taken to five area hospitals.

After the gunfire rang out, people were making a mad rush to get out of the house, Gilliland told the Chronicle. Witnesses told investigators some people broke second-floor windows and jumped.

So many people were trying to get out of the garage, they forced it forward and pushed it off its tracks, Gilliland said. When deputies arrived, they saw some people lying on the ground and others running. "It was a pretty chaotic scene," the spokesman said.

Authorities are looking for two people who are suspected to be the gunmen. There is no word yet on the possible motive of the shooting. And none of the victims' identities have been released.

A witness called A. Henry told the Chronicle that he was toward the kitchen when the gunfire erupted. The 19-year-old said he heard between 10 and 12 shots fired and that the shooting seemed to last between three to five minutes.

Another witness named Karen Briones said she drove to the scene after hearing the gunshots. She was visiting relatives who live in the other side of the neighborhood. "Girls were crying and screaming, banging on people's doors asking them for help and to call 911," Briones told the Chronicle.

At least one parent was reportedly at the house when the shooting happened. The homeowners were not at the party, Gilliland said. Investigators were trying to determine if alcohol was served at the party.