HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man has been charged with tampering with evidence after a deadly shooting at a popular north Harris County flea market that left two people dead and three others injured Sunday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
According to officials with HCSO, thousands of people were at a flea market in the 8700 block of Airline Drive near West Gulf Bank Road around 1 p.m. when two groups of people began shooting at each other.
Yeraldi Romero told KPRC 2 that one of the victims was her brother, identified as 29-year-old Juann Romero. Yeraldi said her brother was full of life and the violence needs to stop.
“It’s very sad. It’s like you don’t believe it,” she said.
the woman was at a loss for words after losing her brother.
“I mean, he just turned 29. All of my brothers we are like three years apart,” she said.
Juann was shot and killed at the Tia Pancha Flea market on Airline Drive. Over 30 evidence markers were placed at the scene.
Yeraldi ran to the location and tried to save her brother’s life.
“I seen him on the floor. He was next to my other cousin who was bleeding as well. Me and my other brother were giving my brother CPR,” she said.
Investigators said thousands of people were shopping, eating and drinking when gunshots rang out.
“There was an altercation between five Hispanic males. The five Hispanics got into a fight, which ended up with them drawing guns,” Major Susan Cotter said.
The victims were all part of the altercation and no innocent bystanders were harmed.
Deputies said it wasn’t a random shooting and the men knew each other.
Yeraldi said she will miss her brother.
“I just want justice for my brother. Whoever was in involved, or just have justice for them. Nobody deserves to take another person’s life. It’s very unfortunate the way it happened,” she said.
Investigators spent several hours speaking to witnesses and searching for surveillance video.
Update #1: this shooting may have stemmed from an altercation between two parties that turned violent. For now, we know of 2 persons confirmed deceased on scene, and at least 3 other persons have been transported to hospitals, unk conditions. #HouNews https://t.co/YHLrS9srG3
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 15, 2022
At this time, Gonzalez said no charges have been filed against any of the surging victims in the shooting. An uninjured person who has been identified by HCSO as Angel Flores-Lopez was charged with tampering with evidence for his role in the shooting, Gonzalez said.
Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to contact HCSO or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).