A 37-year-old father was shot and killed inside his Houston-area home Friday morning, and investigators say his 17-year-old son is accused of pulling the trigger.
The shooting happened around 1:18 a.m. in the 7700 block of Westbank in the Carriage Lane area, according to Harris County Precinct 1 deputies.
Investigators say an argument between the father and son may have led to the shooting.
Emergency radio traffic obtained by KPRC 2 provides a look at what deputies encountered when they first responded to the home.
“There’s people screaming. Looks like the victim is going to be on the front door. We’re going to have a female yelling next to the victim,” a responding deputy reported over the radio.
Investigators later confirmed the father was found dead inside the residence.
According to HCSO, the teenager’s mother and two younger siblings, believed to be 12 and 14 years old, were also inside the home when the shooting happened.
Neither the mother nor the two children were injured.
Investigators are interviewing the family members to determine what happened before the shooting.
Authorities say relatives described previous arguments between the father and son, although the circumstances surrounding Friday’s confrontation remain unclear.
Investigators have not determined whether the father was assaulting the teenager or whether the teenager was assaulting his father.
The 17-year-old left the home on foot following the shooting, according to investigators.
Precinct 1 deputies searched the surrounding neighborhood, but authorities have not located the teenager.
Investigators say they do not know whether he is still in the area or whether someone picked him up.
HCSO officials say they want to speak with the teenager to hear his account of what happened.
Despite the ongoing search, investigators do not believe he poses a threat to the surrounding community.
No decision has been made on whether criminal charges will be filed.
Investigators say the circumstances surrounding the confrontation are critical to determining what happens next.
“It’s not totally clear right now exactly what transpired right before the shooting,” an HCSO sergeant said.
Investigators are also working to determine whether the firearm used in the shooting has been recovered and whether law enforcement previously responded to the residence for other incidents.
The identities of the father and son have not been publicly released.
