Possible getaway vehicle used in slaying of Lamar student found; search on for gunman

HOUSTON – Police now say a vehicle found several hours after a Lamar High School student was gunned down may not be the one that was used in the shooting, and released a description of another car Wednesday.

The shooting happened about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Bammel Lane and Philfall Street.

Houston police said an 18-year-old male was walking with a female, both of whom are students at Lamar High School, on Bammel Lane when the masked gunman walked up and started firing at the 18-year-old. After the victim fell to the ground, the gunman stood over him and fired several more shots, police said.

“Today it is somebody else's kid. Tomorrow it could be yours. Your sister your brother,” said HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner.

The gunman jumped in a vehicle occupied by two other people and fled the scene, police said. The vehicle was described at the time as a black Subaru 4-door vehicle with a plastic bag covering the rear passenger’s window, police said.

A Subaru was found Tuesday night on Trulley Street, in the Third Ward, when officials said a call came in for an illegal parking complaint. Police originally said that it was the getaway vehicle. However, on Wednesday, officials said that they could not confirm that vehicle that was found was indeed the vehicle used in the shooting. They said they are now looking for a small, dark gray, four-door car, possibly Nissan Sentra with a paper license plate and plastic covering the rear passenger-side window.

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A construction worker who witnessed the shooting said one of his coworkers ran over and performed CPR on the victim until emergency workers arrived.

The male student died at the hospital, police said. The female student suffered a graze wound, police said.

Investigators said that they believe the male student was targeted, and that the shooting could be gang-related.

“I don't care why it’s happened. You know what, I want to put an end to it. I want to get the individuals, all these individuals who are out here pulling triggers and shooting people like they are crazy in our city,” Finner said. 

Officials said that Lamar High School was placed on lockdown, and after-school activities were canceled for Tuesday afternoon and evening.

"We will have grief counselors available to assist students and parents the rest of the week, beginning tomorrow morning," an audio message from Lamar's principal stated.

VIDEO: Police provide update on the shooting

“To our parents and the community, our schools are safe. Our children will be safe and we will work together to assure children will learn in a safe environment,” said Dr. Granita Lathan, interim HISD Superintendent.

After-school activities were also canceled at Yates High School, where the student who was killed had previously attended school.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

The deadly shooting comes days after two Lamar High School students were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head in what police believe was a murder-suicide.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued the following statement after the shooting:

"The city of Houston will not tolerate gang activity or any senseless violence on our streets, especially not the kind that targets young people.

"Our children are off limits. I want parents and students to feel protected and confident while they are near or inside a school.

"I support the Houston Police Department's investigation and use of all available resources to find the person or people responsible for today's violence.

"If you witnessed the shooting or know anything about the perpetrators, I urge you to contact HPD or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

"Somebody knows something and working together we can protect our children, keep our community safe and get violent criminals off the streets of Houston."

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