KATY, Texas — Deputies are investigating a shooting at a fast food restaurant Sunday afternoon in west Harris County near Katy. Investigators said two groups of young people fired gunshots at each other inside and outside of the restaurant.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the McDonald’s on Little York and Fry roads at around 5:30 p.m.
The initial investigation revealed that two groups of people who were possibly teenagers were involved in an altercation that led to gunfire, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez shared in a post on X.
“It appears to be very chaotic, it’s very brief, happens quickly, as these things tend to do, especially when bullets start flying,” Lt. Dennis Wolfford with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to HCSO, a 61-year-old man, a bystander, was rushed to the hospital by helicopter with multiple gunshot wounds. He was in critical condition and underwent surgery Sunday night. He later died at the hospital.
A 25-year-old man was struck by gunfire and fled to a nearby Waffle House. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was expected to survive his injuries, though he was in serious condition. HCSO said they are working to determine whether the 25-year-old was involved.
One group of young men and women arrived in a maroon SUV, and the other group was in a white sedan. The suspects fled the area and were not in custody Sunday night.
Investigators said the business was full of customers, including several children, at the time of the shooting.
“It’s amazing that only two people were hit,” Wolfford said.
Investigators said they viewed multiple security cameras and located a suspect vehicle.
The case was initially handled by HCSO’s Violent Crimes Unit, but it has since been transferred to homicide investigators.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
The circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear.
KHOU 11 crews at the scene saw a glass door of the restaurant shattered. They also saw evidence markers outside the restaurant.