Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Gunfire Breaks Out Outside Funeral at Southeast Houston Church

Houston police are investigating an exchange of gunfire in a church parking lot where a man was taken from the scene by a private vehicle and no suspects have been identified.

Overview

  • The incident, which happened Friday, began with a fight inside St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and moved into the parking lot where police say two groups exchanged gunfire.
  • Official accounts differ on casualties: the Houston Fire Department and some witnesses said shots were fired and at least one person was injured while other police statements reported no confirmed shooting.
  • Witnesses and local reporting identified the service as a funeral for Darius Phillips, who witnesses say had been killed earlier after a separate fight at a party.
  • Police say a man was transported from the scene by a private vehicle and officers are trying to locate him; no suspects have been named and no arrests have been made.
  • HPD’s Southeast and Major Assault detectives are leading the active investigation and will likely use ballistics, search warrants and coordinated interviews as they work to clarify the conflicting early accounts.