HOUSTON – A man is dead after a drive-by at a gas station in North Harris County on Monday night.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the incident happened at the Sunoco gas station in the 15300 block of Ella Boulevard near Barren Springs shortly after 8:30 p.m.
Family members did not want to talk on camera but told KPRC 2 their loved one is 21-year-old Tre Jefferson.
Gonzalez said the young man was standing in front of the gas station when someone in a white pickup truck, possibly an F-150, drove by and fired at least five shots from an assault rifle. Surveillance video from a gas station across the street showed several people in the parking lot when someone opened fire.
“It’s a busy time. A lot of other people could have gotten hit and if not, injured or killed,” Gonzalez said.
Tuesday is National Night Out, where law enforcement agencies hope to build trust among families and make the community a safer place to live. Sheriff Gonzalez said he plans to come back out to the area.
“It’s been one of our busiest and more violent districts out here. And we want to make sure we’re doing everything and working with the community to continue to build trust and build that engagement and just let them know we’re all in this together. We want to reduce crime, but we need everybody to step up and help out,” he said.
Pastor E.A. Deckard of Green House International Church is working to reduce crime in the area.
“When we got here seven years ago, it was known as ‘Gunspoint’ and one of the first things we wanted to do is make sure to change that narrative,” he said.
Pastor Deckard said crime has gone down in the last few years, but Ella Boulevard remains a hot spot.
“Ella Boulevard, unfortunately, this weekend I’m doing the funeral of a murder victim 25 years old. I just got the phone call this morning from that young man’s situation. Earlier this year, one of the most tragic things happened. There was a double homicide where two young men were killed on Ella. They were shot over 60 times,” he said.
As part of National Night Out, Pastor Deckard said he wants to continue to meet the needs of people in the community and build trust with families.
“Most crimes are done because of lack of resources and opportunities or the thought that there is no opportunity, so we’ve created opportunities for the community to tap into and relationships with law enforcement. We want families to create one big atmosphere,” he said.
Gonzalez urged anyone with information to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
@HCSOTexas deputies responded to a shooting outside a c-store at 15303 Ella Blvd. Units discovered an adult male had been shot and confirmed deceased at the scene. Possible suspect(s) fled in a black sedan. Investigators are enroute. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/f87IMFucMA
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) October 3, 2023