HOUSTON \u2013 At least nine people were shot, including two fatally, in a series of New Year\u2019s Day shootings across the Houston metropolitan area, marking a violent start to 2026 despite recent declines in the city\u2019s crime rate.<\/p>\n
Third Ward Mass Shooting<\/p>\n
Five people were wounded in a mass shooting at a short-term rental property in Houston\u2019s Third Ward shortly after midnight Monday. <\/p>\n
The incident occurred in the near the corner of Live Oak and Elgin Streets, where approximately 100 people were attending a house party.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they arrived, they had found two people had been shot, and they got transported to a local area hospital and were in stable condition,\u201d said Houston Police Lt. J.P. Horelica. <\/p>\n
One female suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while a male was shot once.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Michael Dior, who attended the party, described the chaotic scene. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey just like, was popping firecrackers, popping fireworks. I was like, \u2018Oh my God, these don\u2019t sound like fireworks, these sound like guns,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Police reported multiple people fleeing the scene when officers arrived. Despite questioning several witnesses, investigators have received little cooperation in identifying the shooter.<\/p>\n
Northside Shooting<\/p>\n
In a separate incident, two people were shot at another short-term rental property on Yorkshire Street in Houston\u2019s Northside. <\/p>\n
One male was critically wounded with a chest injury and rushed to Ben Taub hospital for emergency surgery. <\/p>\n
A female victim was transported to a hospital by private vehicle.<\/p>\n
Houston Police Captain Ryan Watson estimated about 300 people were at the party when the shooting occurred. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe location, a house in a neighborhood, was rented out… everybody drinking and that\u2019s one thing led to another,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n
Police described the suspect as a short black male with short dreadlocks. <\/p>\n
Investigators are reviewing nearby surveillance cameras and ring doorbell footage for additional evidence.<\/p>\n
Woodforest Fatal Shooting<\/p>\n
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Harris County Sheriff\u2019s deputies discovered a 43-year-old Black male dead on the front porch of his apartment in the 12000 block of Wood Forest. <\/p>\n
@HCSOTexas<\/a> 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<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VBlSzpph5I<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The victim\u2019s live-in girlfriend found him unresponsive and called authorities.<\/p>\n \u201cShe did not hear anything, any disturbances or anything like that. She just discovered him this morning on the porch,\u201d said Sgt. Greg Pinkins of the Harris County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n Porter Shooting Death<\/p>\n In Montgomery County, a man was found shot in the chest along Alexander Lane in Porter shortly after midnight. <\/p>\n He was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n \u201cUpon EMS arriving, they found a deceased male with a gunshot wound,\u201d said Sgt. Christopher Evans with the Montgomery County Sheriff\u2019s Office. \u201cWe are currently still actively investigating this scene.\u201d<\/p>\n Crime Rate Context<\/p>\n The New Year\u2019s violence comes as Houston had just reported an 18 percent decrease in murders during 2025, according<\/a> to AH Datalytics. <\/p>\n Mayor John Whitmire\u2019s administration has recently implemented new ordinances to regulate short-term rentals more strictly, developing partnerships with companies like Airbnb to address safety concerns.<\/p>\n Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or HPD\u2019s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n