HOUSTON – At least nine people were shot, including two fatally, in a series of New Year’s Day shootings across the Houston metropolitan area, marking a violent start to 2026 despite recent declines in the city’s crime rate.
Third Ward Mass Shooting
Five people were wounded in a mass shooting at a short-term rental property in Houston’s Third Ward shortly after midnight Monday.
The incident occurred in the near the corner of Live Oak and Elgin Streets, where approximately 100 people were attending a house party.
“When they arrived, they had found two people had been shot, and they got transported to a local area hospital and were in stable condition,” said Houston Police Lt. J.P. Horelica.
One female suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while a male was shot once.
Three additional victims were later identified: a female with a graze wound who was treated at the scene and two more individuals who arrived at local hospitals with gunshot wounds.
Michael Dior, who attended the party, described the chaotic scene.
“They just like, was popping firecrackers, popping fireworks. I was like, ‘Oh my God, these don’t sound like fireworks, these sound like guns,’” he said.
Police reported multiple people fleeing the scene when officers arrived. Despite questioning several witnesses, investigators have received little cooperation in identifying the shooter.
Northside Shooting
In a separate incident, two people were shot at another short-term rental property on Yorkshire Street in Houston’s Northside.
One male was critically wounded with a chest injury and rushed to Ben Taub hospital for emergency surgery.
A female victim was transported to a hospital by private vehicle.
Houston Police Captain Ryan Watson estimated about 300 people were at the party when the shooting occurred.
“The location, a house in a neighborhood, was rented out… everybody drinking and that’s one thing led to another,” Watson said.
Police described the suspect as a short black male with short dreadlocks.
Investigators are reviewing nearby surveillance cameras and ring doorbell footage for additional evidence.
Woodforest Fatal Shooting
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Harris County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a 43-year-old Black male dead on the front porch of his apartment in the 12000 block of Wood Forest.
@HCSOTexas deputies responded to a complex at 12603 Woodforest Boulevard, in reference to a wounded man with what appears to be multiple gunshot and stab wounds. The male was pronounced deceased on-scene. CSI and Homicide Detectives are responding. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/VBlSzpph5I
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 1, 2026
The victim’s live-in girlfriend found him unresponsive and called authorities.
“She did not hear anything, any disturbances or anything like that. She just discovered him this morning on the porch,” said Sgt. Greg Pinkins of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Porter Shooting Death
In Montgomery County, a man was found shot in the chest along Alexander Lane in Porter shortly after midnight.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Upon EMS arriving, they found a deceased male with a gunshot wound,” said Sgt. Christopher Evans with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. “We are currently still actively investigating this scene.”
Crime Rate Context
The New Year’s violence comes as Houston had just reported an 18 percent decrease in murders during 2025, according to AH Datalytics.
Mayor John Whitmire’s administration has recently implemented new ordinances to regulate short-term rentals more strictly, developing partnerships with companies like Airbnb to address safety concerns.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or HPD’s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
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