Houston – A man is recovering after he was robbed and shot while walking back to his car after the rodeo Wednesday night. He was not on RodeoHouston property. He had parked in a lot on the other side of the 610 South Loop, off Interchange Drive between Belfort and Odomm Boulevard. The lot was not well-lit and had no security, according to police. We went to HPD’s Sr. Community Affairs officer, Roderick Stanfield, for his best advice on how to stay safe when you’re parking for big, public events, and what to do if you get confronted like this man did.
KPRC 2: What should you do if you’re confronted by someone trying to rob you?
Officer Stanfield: If someone’s trying to rob you, you have to expect that they may have a weapon. It is human nature to fight back and to want to hold on to your property. But you have to think, ‘Is it worth my life or worth getting hurt for a purse?’ I can replace a purse, but not my life. If someone is grabbing your purse or any other items, don’t fight back, just give it up. If you’re getting attacked, yell and try to take mental notes of what the attacker looks like and what they are wearing.
KPRC 2: If you see your vehicle’s been broken into, do you stay? Should you leave? What should you do in case someone tries to come back?
Officer Stanfield: Back up and call the police and let them handle it. I just expect someone could be there to rob you.
KPRC 2: What should we be thinking about, safety-wise, when it comes to parking for big public events?
Officer Stanfield: Stay away from parking lots that are not well-lit and don’t have security. It’s common for thieves to target off-site locations like this during big events at NRG. They see a big crowd, cars, people with purses and money; it’s an opportunity for robbers to take advantage of. It’s just safer to park in the designated areas, the on-site parking lots and garages. At the end of the day, paying for stadium parking is cheaper than a broken window or risking your life.
The man who was robbed and shot is expected to be okay.
No robberies have been reported on rodeo grounds this year, and officials there tell us they have security measures in place around the clock at their parking lots.