A 15-year-old Madison High School student is recovering at a hospital after he was shot outside a convenience store near campus Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Authorities said they have since arrested a 16-year-old who they believe to be the shooter.
UPDATE: Our officers have arrested 3 individuals in yesterday's shooting at 4000 W. Orem.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 31, 2023
The male shooter, 16, is in custody of juvenile authorities on charge of aggravated assault w/deadly weapon. Two adults - a female, 20, & a male, 34 - face charges of tampering w/evidence. https://t.co/kZ0l5m9Sfc
Officers with the Houston Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 4100 block of West Orem Drive in southwest Houston at around 4:30 p.m.
According to K. Deese with HPD, the student and another person were walking toward a nearby convenience store from the high school.
An argument ensued between the two teens. At some point, police said they walked toward the side of the store, and that was when shots were fired.
The 15-year-old victim was shot in the abdomen one time, police said.
District officials with HISD said Madison High School was placed on lockdown for 40 minutes during the incident.
KPRC 2 spoke with the teen victim’s teacher from last year. He asked to remain anonymous but said the teen appeared focused and ready for the new school year.
“He had a different mindset coming into this school year. Knowing him from last year, it was a major improvement. We, all the teachers who had him last year, noticed,” said the teacher.
Investigators said the 16-year-old boy shot the 15-year-old during an argument outside a convenience store.
The 16-year-old suspected gunman has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Additionally, Demeco Scales, 34, and 20-year-old Angelina Edwards are also charged with tampering with evidence in this case. Edwards is accused of hiding evidence from a car. According to court documents, Edwards cleaned the motor vehicle with bleach knowing that the vehicle had been used in a shooting. Records show Scales tried to throw away clothing knowing that it was involved in a shooting. It’s unclear how Scales and Edwards know the shooter.
The teacher said this shooting shows that no life should be taken for granted.
“That’s really what I’m hoping that this situation shows them that there’s a bigger picture to things than just violence over smallest things,” said the former teacher.
He hopes the 15-year-old will be back in the classroom soon.
KPRC 2 also spoke with the teen’s mother on the phone. She said her son is in stable condition but is fighting. She is asking the community for prayers while he continues to recover.
The school added security on campus on Thursday. Counseling services are also being offered for students and staff.
HISD said it cannot comment on the ongoing investigation.
Both Scales and Edwards are expected to appear in court Friday morning.