11-year-old boy killed after shots fired into Channelview home, sheriff says

CHANNELVIEW, Texas – An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed early Sunday.

Preliminary information indicates someone shot into the home the child was in, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said, adding that it appeared an assault rifle was used.

The shooting was reported just before 5 a.m. in the 15100 block of North Brentwood Street in east Harris County. Other children were inside the home at the time, but were not injured, he said.

The 11-year-old, who was sleeping when he was shot, was pronounced dead at the scene, Gonzalez said.

VIDEO: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez gives update on shooting on Brentwood St.

Gonzalez had a strong message for the person responsible. 

“To the individuals that would do this, I would just say they are cowards to shoot into a home not knowing who was in there. They shot an innocent child that was there and this is uncalled for.”

Those who shot into the home are "cowards" for shooting "into a home not knowing who was in there. They shot an innocent child that was there and this is uncalled for," he said. 

The family had only lived in the home a few months and that there had been previous reports of criminal activity at the home, the sheriff said. 

Donna Patterson told KPRC that it was around 4 a.m. when she heard gunshots across the street and called 911. 

“There were 22 shots in perfect timing. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, 22 loud. I just thought, 'oh my gosh, are they coming through the house,'” Patterson said. 

The shooter, or shooters, have not yet been identified.