Patrick Scott, 18, now faces federal charges connected to a fatal METRO bus shooting. Prosecutors said he was using an illegal “switch.”

HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors have filed new charges against one of the teens accused in a deadly shooting aboard a Houston METRO bus earlier this month

The new allegations claim that Patrick Santana Scott opened fire with a handgun that was modified to fire automatically.

Scott, 18, already jailed on related state charges, now faces federal counts of illegally possessing a machine gun and unlawfully receiving a firearm and ammunition while under indictment, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced this week.


A violent confrontation on a city bus

The shooting unfolded on the afternoon of Jan. 7 when a METRO bus carrying multiple passengers stopped at a west Houston intersection. Court documents allege Scott was seated near the rear of the bus with a backpack when another rider — later identified as 17-year-old Brayden Smith — boarded and headed toward him.

Moments later, Smith allegedly opened fire in Scott’s direction. Prosecutors said Scott then pulled out a firearm from his backpack and pointed it toward Smith. The exchange of gunfire killed 21-year-old Caitlin Stup, who was seated between the two teens, and wounded a 16-year-old male passenger who has since been released from the hospital.

RELATED: ‘Taken way too soon’ | Mother mourns daughter who was killed in crossfire on Houston bus

Investigators said a shell casing found at the scene matched a 9mm Glock handgun recovered the following day and linked to Scott. That weapon, according to the complaint, was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, or “switch,” that modified it to fire fully automatically — a federal offense on its own.

Four seconds. That’s all it took for an alleged shootout to start between Patrick Scott and a teenage rival after spotting each other on a Houston bus.

Now Scott faces federal charges after his actions contributed to the death of an innocent woman and a wounded teenager. More… pic.twitter.com/kRueGdaS32

— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) January 22, 2026


Alleged violations and federal reaction

Federal prosecutors allege Scott was already under indictment in Harris County for aggravated robbery when the shooting occurred, making his possession of a firearm or ammunition unlawful under federal law.

“Scott is alleged to have violated his bond conditions by possessing a firearm—a decision that directly contributed to the death of an innocent young woman and the wounding of a teen bystander,” said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. “With these federal charges, the Southern District aims to change his way of thinking.”

FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams called the case an example of senseless violence caused by young offenders with easy access to illegal weapons.

“A young woman was killed and a teenager endures a long recovery because of the disregard Scott and a teen rival held for innocent lives on that bus that afternoon,” Williams said. “We hope these charges make others consider the life-and-death consequences of their irresponsible actions.”


What’s next in the case

Scott remains in custody and is expected to make an initial federal court appearance soon. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a machine gun and up to five years for unlawful receipt of a firearm and ammunition, along with potential fines of up to $250,000 per count.

The FBI, the Houston Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Black is prosecuting.

Meanwhile, Brayden Smith, the 17-year-old accused of firing first, remains held without bond on a separate murder charge. Prosecutors said surveillance video shows Smith entering the bus and opening fire toward Scott, with the deadly bullet striking Stup.

RELATED: 2 suspects taken into custody in connection with deadly west Houston METRO bus shooting, source says

Smith was reportedly on juvenile probation for attempted aggravated robbery at the time of the shooting. His attorney has argued that additional forensic testing and video review are needed, contending that footage shows Scott also pointing a gun during the chaos.

Both teens were identified and arrested after surveillance images were shared with school resource officers and law enforcement agencies around Houston.

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