Two people were shot in the neck outside a Houston nightclub early Saturday morning, and police say one of the victims is now being investigated as a possible suspect.
The shooting happened around 1:57 a.m. in the parking lot of the Magnolia Club, located in the 5000 block of Griggs Road.
Both victims, a man and a woman, had to have surgery. Houston police say both are expected to be okay.
But what the injured man told officers after getting to the hospital has now become a major part of the investigation.
According to Houston Police Lt. Pulido, two men got into an argument in the club’s parking lot.
Police still don’t know what they were arguing about.
At some point, both men pulled out guns and started shooting at each other.
“It took place outside in the parking lot,” Pulido said. “They got into some sort of argument. We don’t know what the argument was about. And they both pulled out a firearm. And started shooting at each other.”
A man and woman were both shot in the neck.
Police say the two are friends, although investigators have not explained exactly how the woman became caught in the shooting.
When officers arrived at the club, they detained one man and found a gun.
Meanwhile, the two injured people were taken to a nearby hospital in the same vehicle, with police accompanying them.
But once officers got to the hospital, they learned something else.
The man who had been shot told police he had also fired his gun during the argument.
“When officers got to the hospital, they got a statement from one of the victims and the victim stated that he also shot back at the suspect,” Pulido said.
That statement led police to detain the injured man at the hospital as a possible suspect.
Investigators have not announced any charges or explained whether they believe the man acted in self-defense.
What happened to the two people who were shot?
Both victims were shot in the neck and underwent surgery.
Police say their conditions are stable and both are expected to be okay.
Their names and ages have not been released.
Investigators have not said whether the woman was involved in the argument or was simply nearby when the shooting happened.
There are still questions about exactly how many people were involved.
At the scene, Pulido said officers had detained both men believed to have fired guns.
However, initial information provided to KPRC 2 indicated police were still searching for another suspect.
KPRC 2 has requested clarification from the Houston Police Department about whether anyone else is being sought.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Investigators are also working to determine what started the argument and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
This is a developing story. Check back with Click2Houston.com for updates.
If someone is shot during an argument and tells police they fired back, what questions should investigators answer before determining whether the shooting was self-defense?
