A parking dispute at an unofficial lot near NRG Stadium turned violent Tuesday night, leaving a Houston parking attendant shot. Police are searching for suspects.
HOUSTON — A parking attendant was shot in the leg Tuesday night during an argument over parking access at an apartment complex near the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds, according to Houston police.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 8400 block of Hearth Road, not far from NRG Stadium. Lt. R. Willkens of the Houston Police Department said the victim, a man in his mid-40s, had been working as a parking attendant and collecting money from people seeking to park in the lot.
During rodeo season, some nearby apartment complexes and businesses offer paid parking that is not affiliated with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Police said the shooting happened at one of those unofficial lots as thousands of people head to the rodeo each night.
A male driving a black Cadillac Escalade pulled into the lot with two female passengers, Wilkens said. An argument broke out over whether they were allowed to park there. During the dispute, the driver shot the attendant once in the leg. The three then sped off from the scene in the Escalade.
The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover. Investigators are now working to identify the suspect and the two women who were with him.
“This unfortunately did happen, but the guy who was shot is going to be OK,” Willkens said.
Rodeo officials continue to encourage visitors to use official parking or rideshare options, noting that unofficial lots are not regulated in the same way.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Houston police.
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