Police investigating fatal shooting near TSU campus

Police investigate a fatal shooting at an apartment complex near the campus of TSU.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An intruder was fatally shot by an apartment complex resident near the Texas Southern University campus last night, say police.

It happened around 8:30pm on Wentworth and Ennis in Houston's Third Ward. Police say a man, who is a TSU student, was in an apartment complex with his girlfriend and two-year-old child when he heard a loud noise outside.

When he went to check it out, an armed man forced his way into the apartment.

"They heard a loud commotion from the back of the apartment,' said Officer Christopher Hassig with the Houston Police Department. "He wasn't entirely certain if it was a window or a door. He went to investigate and the suspect pushed his way in."

The resident shot and killed the intruder. Police say it does not appear the two knew each other.

The resident was taken downtown to be questioned. It's unclear at this time if he will be charged.

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Deputies investigating woman's shooting death in SW Harris County

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County deputies are trying to figure out who killed a woman found dead in a driveway.

This happened at a home on Las Brisas near Paso Real in southwest Harris County this morning. Deputies say they found a woman dead in the driveway. She had been shot to death.

The medical examiner left with the woman's body and the car in the driveway was also taken away for the investigation. They're not releasing the woman's identity or age.

A family member who identified himself as the victim's uncle told Eyewitness News that the victim was at this location because her sister lives at the house.

A man with bags over his hands was led away from the scene, but so far investigators have given out very little information. We'll bring you updates as we get them.

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Conroe PD investigating drive-by shooting that injured 4

  CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- Conroe police are investigating a drive-by shooting that injured four people this morning.

It happened around 1am in the 1200 block of Pleasant Drive. Officers were called to an aggravated assault in progress. When police arrived, they found four individuals had been shot.

Investigators said witness information indicates that two groups, possibly opposing gang members, had an argument earlier in the evening and one group left the area. A short time later, police said several members returned and fired multiple rounds into a crowd of people in a drive-by.

The vehicle turned around and additional rounds were shot into the crowd as the vehicle left the area, officials said.

Conroe police located the suspect vehicle a short time later and took the sole occupant into custody. A handgun was also confiscated.

Three of the four victims were treated and released. The fourth victim is stable at Conroe Regional Medical Center, police said. According to investigators, everyone involved is between the ages of 16 and 18. The investigation is ongoing.

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Harris Co. Attorney to testify before grand jury investigating possible wrongdoing inside Victor Trevino's office

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's a surprise in that criminal probe of Victor Trevino's constables office.

Through our sources, 13 Undercover has learned the grand jury has now subpoenaed the testimony of another high-ranking public official. It's Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan. He's been told to appear Friday morning under oath. What we don't know is what the grand jury wants to ask the guy elected to be the county's ethics watchdog.

Just last week, 13 Undercover had tough questions for the County Attorney Vince Ryan.

"Is the end game protecting Victor Trevino?" we asked Ryan.

"Of course not," he said.

Now sources tell us the grand jury probing the constable has questions for Mr. Ryan too.

"The bottom line is you ran for public office as the ethics watchdog for this county," we told Ryan.

"I think the ethics are being much more cautiously observed by county officials," he said.

But we've been fighting for months for the voters' right to know.

Documents we have show Ryan's office had about reports of mismanagement and possible criminal wrongdoing in Precinct 6 months before the May primary. There was even a final internal investigative report done by this county lawyer for Vince Ryan. But the watchdog won't make it public. Trust me, we've tried to get it.

"You issue your Doug Ray document in its entirety and let the public see everything Vince Ryan knew before the election, that he didn't think the voters had a right to see," we told Ryan.

"I think that would be inappropriate," Ryan said.

"Really?" we said.

"Yes it would."

"You could do it tomorrow," we said.

Emails from Ryan's office acknowledge at least some of the revelations could be "the source of high embarrassment" and "black eyes for the justice system."

Ryan says he has a right to keep what he learned a secret because he's the county's lawyer, even from the county judge. Trevino was re-elected in May. Now it's Ryan who faces voters in November.

"He covered up wrongdoing that he was aware of and chose to look the other way. Instead of being the watchdog that he should be, he's a lapdog," said Robert Talton, Ryan's opponent in the November election.

We don't know from our sources if Ryan has been told to bring the report he won't show you to show them. The county attorney says his office has done a lot to clean up the constables' operations; he has given some records to the DA but not the final report of his investigation.

Just last week it was Constable Trevino on the hot seat.

"Do you expect for there to be an indictment?" we asked attorney Chip Lewis.

"I don't think the grand jury will see anything on the lines of Constable Trevino personally enriching himself, but as they are still working through the process, we are not going to to comment on the issues before them," Lewis said.

We also know from the courthouse that a grand jury subpoena for a sitting county attorney is very rare. We will be watching the developments for you Friday morning.

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TSU investigating alleged hazing incident among university band members

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As the Texas Southern University football team took the field Thursday night, something was missing -- the marching band. It was suspended and is now under investigation. The allegations against the Ocean of Soul are hazing.

Many people who attended the TSU game didn't know about the hazing allegations until it was obvious the band wasn't there. The band director, band staff and all students are being questioned, and if proven true, students could be expelled or even charged.

Halftime at BBVA Compass Stadium and the field is empty, which means the curb at the student shuttle bus stop is full. Many left early.

"There's no point of staying for 12 minutes and just sitting and looking at other people," freshman Didi Chiedu said.

For the game on September 15, the Ocean of Soul rocked. On Thursday night, their performance was canceled amidst hazing allegations.

TSU officials tell Eyewitness News they received the report Wednesday night. It involves the trumpet section and an allegation of excessive paddling. It's said to have happened September 19 off campus. There were no serious injuries but the university has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing.

According to a written statement, the university says "the band is suspended until further notice" and "TSU student affairs personnel will take appropriate action."

On Thursday night, we weren't allowed into the stadium for this story. Outside, students reacted to the allegations.

"It's not good, but it's hopefully not true," freshman Alex Coleman said.

"Usually you get this from fraternities and sororities, but from the band, which is a respectful organization at our school, it's ridiculous," Chiedu said.

This isn't the first time the band has been involved in a scandal, but it has been a long time. Twenty years ago while in Japan, students were accused of stealing thousands of dollars in electronics.

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Deputies investigating possible drive-by shooting

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputies were investigating a possible drive-by shooting Sunday in northeast Harris County.

It happened on East Mount Houston near Homestead.

Deputies tell us one man was shot but he is expected to survive his injuries.

It's not yet clear if the victim was targeted or if the shooting was random.

At last check, the shooter remained on the loose.

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HPD investigating suspect's in-custody death

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are investigating the death of a suspect who reportedly died after being shot with a Taser gun by officers.

Officers responded to a report of a man running on the North Freeway around 10:35pm. As they tried to detain the man, he allegedly started fighting with police.

According to officials, an officer fired the Taser without the cartridge. They transported him to the jail where they say his erratic behavior continued.

Police transported the suspect to Ben Taub General Hospital at 11:50pm and he was pronounced dead at 7:50am.

This cause of death remains under investigation. His name has not been released.

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Police investigating fatal escalator fall during Texans game at Reliant Stadium

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Texans fan died after falling from a stadium escalator. Witnesses say the man was trying to slide down the handrail and may have been dared to do it by a friend.

We are waiting for the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death of Jonathan Kelly, 25, who fell from an escalator at Reliant Stadium. It happened during the third quarter as some fans were leaving the Texans' final pre-season game.

Reliant park staff members say they are taking a hard look at safety procedures after that deadly fall that took place on the northeast side of the stadium.

The escalators just beyond the Coca-Cola gate at Reliant Stadium aren't moving. They've been shut down after a man fell to his death during Thursday's pre-season game between the Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

Eyewitness Veronica Mares recalled, "We're watching the body go down, and he lands and we're like OK, he's not moving. He's dead you know?"

Mares says she and her family were on the escalator during the third quarter when they witnessed Kelly's 60-foot fall. Mares says she saw the 25-year-old Houston man and two of his friends holding drinks and playing around, riding the escalator's handrails.

"He rode the rail for like two or three seconds and after that you just see him falling," she said. "He couldn't grab anything. I mean, there was nothing he could have grabbed."

We took an up close look at the area where the accident happened. There are no stairs nor walls that could have cushioned that deadly drop from the fifth level to the ground.

"They were horseplaying when they shouldn't have been," Mares said.

During a news conference Friday morning, administrators for both Reliant Park and the Texans expressed their sympathies for Kelly's family.

Houston Texans President Jamey Roots said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young man."

For now, administrators are staying rather tight-lipped about certain details in the investigation while making sure safety inspectors take a look at these escalators. We did ask whether alcohol was a factor in that fall. Reliant Park's manager mentioned that could be a factor in the investigation. The medical examiner's autopsy results have not been completed.

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Police investigating campaign sign thefts allegedly by county employee

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Early voting may be going slowly, but we've learned that what's happening with one campaign is now under investigation.

The Spring Valley Police Department is investigating an employee who works for Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack. That employee was seen by an officer allegedly stealing campaign signs for a candidate for county constable Precinct 5.

Investigators tell us the signs belonged to Al Florido. We found him Tuesday at the Spring Valley Police Department talking to detectives, who called him after a plain-clothed officer witnessed the alleged theft.

Detectives say that happened on a roadway not far from the police department earlier Tuesday. The police department has asked the Harris County District Attorney's Office to decide whether to pursue criminal charges.

"Absolutely we are going to press charges. I think it's not only disrespect to the people who support me, who've given money to my campaign and other folks who've given money to other candidates who are running for office to do things right," Florido said. "I think that the cronyism and the Good Ol' Boy system in Houston, Texas, Harris County, it's time for it to come down and I want to be on the frontier of it."

Late Tuesday night, Spring Valley police told Eyewitness News the Harris County District Attorney's Office told them they need to think about whether the case warrants charges. The lead investigator says the Harris County employee was on the clock when the alleged theft occurred.

Radack says he has talked to his employee, who claims he was not supposed to be working at the time.

"I trust the police department not that much, this is a totally political thing," Radack said.

The incumbent constable in Precinct 5, Phil Camus, shows on his own re-election website an endorsement from Radack.

We will stay on top of this story and bring you further information as it develops.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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FBI investigating suspicious packages at Crockett and Bush elementary schools

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Envelopes with a mysterious white powder inside were sent to two local elementary schools yesterday. The FBI is now looking for a possible connection between the two incidents.

Field tests on the substance came back negative for any hazardous substance, but the FBI will do some additional testing.

Emergency crews and the FBI were called out to Crockett Elementary School in the First Ward yesterday morning, and then to Bush Elementary School in far west Houston in the afternoon. In both cases, an envelope with a suspicious substance inside was sent to the school.

At Crockett, a administrative assistant opened an envelope in an office area of the school and saw a powder-like substance inside. As a precaution, the office area was isolated and the air conditioning turned off. Students were kept in their classes during the investigation, but were not evacuated.

The scene was cleared about an hour later and there was said to be no danger to students.

Then yesterday afternoon, a suspicious substance was found in an envelope at Bush Elementary School in west Houston at around 1pm. HISD police and HFD are investigating.

According to the FBI, they will perform further tests to determine if it's the same substance that was found in other envelopes around Texas this week.

Students took letters home to their parents yesterday informing them that a white powder was sent in envelopes to their schools.

HISD sent out an email alert to its principals yesterday afternoon.

"Fortunately, the principal here at Bush read that email and as she was checking her mail, came across a letter that seemed to meet the description of what the others had looked like, so she immediately put it down; she did not open it. She cut off the air conditioning in the school, according to procedure," said HISD Spokesperson Jason Spencer.

School at Bush Elementary let out at the regular time Wednesday, although parents arrived to find a HazMat truck parked in front.

There were no injuries, but obviously a lot of parents were concerned.

This is the third such incident in the last year and a half. Last May, a white substance was found in a letter at John Paul II Catholic School in west Houston, but it turned out to be harmless silicone. In October 2010, more than a dozen HISD campuses found envelopes with a white powder inside.

Other Texas schools affected today, yesterday

Seven schools and a church in the Dallas area received white powder filled envelopes yesterday and today. This morning, the administrator of a Dallas preschool opened a powder-filled letter. The administrator put the letter in a plastic bag and called 911.

The administrator was taken to the hospital for observation. Ten staff members and a class full of children ages three to five years old were evacuated from the school as a precaution.

"They weren't exposed to anything, but it's only because we don't have another classroom to put them in here at this facility; we have to go ahead and send them home today," said Gayle Nave, Executive Director of Mi Escuelita Preschool.

On Tuesday, five schools and a church in five different Dallas area cities received threatening letters with what turned out to be non life-threatening powder. It's not known if the North Texas and Houston cases are related.

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HPD investigating officer-involved shooting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An off-duty officer shot at a suspect outside a nightclub in southeast Houston overnight.

It happened around 2am outside the El Portal nightclub on Lawndale and Evergreen. Apparently there was some kind of disturbance inside the club and a man had been asked to leave.

Authorities say that's when the man's girlfriend came out and found a uniformed HPD officer who was working security in the parking lot. The woman exchanged words with the officer, at which point her boyfriend came out and police say he tried to take a swing at the officer.

Police say the couple then went to their vehicle and it appeared the man got a gun and loaded it. The couple then started to drive away and authorities say the man pointed the gun at the HPD officer.

According to authorities, the HPD officer was in fear for his life and he started shooting at the suspect.

No one was hit by the flying bullets.

The suspect and his girlfriend drove out of the parking lot and a short time later came back to the scene. Police were eventually able to pull the vehicle over and took two suspects into custody.

No charges have been filed as of yet.

Authorities say they did find a loaded weapon inside the suspect's vehicle.

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Arson investigating vacant house fire in NE Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Arson investigators are looking into the cause of a fire at a vacant house in northeast Houston.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Florida Street at Brewster Street around 3:30am Sunday.

When responders arrived, heavy flames were shooting from the one-story, wood-frame house.

Firefighters made a fast attack and got the blaze under control.

According to officials, the last resident of the house just moved out a couple weeks ago.

The fire appears to have started on the front porch with the possible use of an accelerant, investigators said.

No one was injured.

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Officer killed while investigating accident to be honored

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer killed while investigating a hit and run accident will be honored for his service this morning.

Thirty-eight-year-old Officer Kevin Will was killed when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver back in May. Officer Will is set to posthumously receive the medal of valor and life saving award.

More than 90 others will also be honored for their service to Houstonians. The ceremony is set for 10:30am at the LD Morrison Training Academy on Aldine Westfield.

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Police investigating man's death while in custody

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are investigating the death of a man at the downtown jail.

According to police, Deltric Deon Caldwell, 39,was arrested in the early morning hours on Sunday in the parking lot of a strip center for possession of narcotics and tampering with evidence. Caldwell was medically screened by HFD paramedics, transported to HPD Central Jail at 61 Riesner Street and later became unresponsive. He was discovered at about 5:50am and HFD paramedics were called to the scene.

Caldwell was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will determine his cause of death

The incident is being investigated as an in-custody death since it occurred in the presence of HPD personnel. As is customary in such cases, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.

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Police investigating death of 4-month-old baby

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are investigating the death of a baby boy in north Harris County.

Police say the baby's mother and father were caring for the four-month-old boy at home in the 12000 block of Northborough about 3pm on Wednesday when he was found unresponsive. The father performed CPR on the baby in an attempt to revive him. The Houston Fire Department was called and, upon arrival, emergency personnel also attempted to revive the infant. He was transported to Houston Northwest Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The boy has been identified as Ariel Mitchell. His cause of death is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Police investigating homicide near TSU campus

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are investigating a fatal shooting near the Texas Southern University campus on the south side of Houston.

Investigators were called to Rosedale St. Tierwester St. around 1:30am Sunday where neighbors said they heard between three and seven shots fired.

There, they found a man lying at the corner from a gunshot wound. Another man was found behind a nearby house.

The men -- both in their late teens or early 20s -- were transported to an area hospital. One of them died a short time later.

The condition of the second victim was not released Sunday.

Police believe the shooting was a drive-by. No suspect or vehicle information was available.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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Police investigating bank robbery in Meyerland

Houston police are searching for the suspects who robbed a bank inside a southwest Houston Kroger.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are investigating a bank robbery at a Kroger in southwest Houston.

An unknown number of robbers went into the Kroger at S. Post Oak and West Bellfort in Meyerland about 9:45am Friday and robbed the First Convenience bank inside, according to the Houston Police Department. Police say the suspects had pistols, and one may have also had a shotgun. No shots fired and there were no injuries, police say. Officers found their abandoned getaway car in the same shopping center. So far, no word on what they could be drving now or how much money they got away with. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Police investigating apparent murder-suicide

  LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- Police say a double shooting at a home in League City appears to be a murder-suicide.

Family members called police saying they were worried about their sister and that she may have been harmed by her husband.

Officers arrived at the woman's home on Hidden Colony Ln. at River Ridge around 7pm Friday.

Once inside, authorities say they found the bodies of the woman and her husband in a bathroom.

No one else was hurt. Police said children were in the home at the time. They were found unharmed.

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HPD investigating murders of mother, son

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A mother and her son were found dead in their home on Houston's south side Saturday. Now friends, family and police want to know what happened.

For hours, Houston police blocked off Ferdinand and Brinkley Streets while they investigated the double murder Saturday.

Grieving family members and neighbors stood watching nearby.

"I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared for my mom that's down the street. I'm scared," neighbor Sherry Mayberry said.

Police tell us they found the bodies of 50-year-old Sherry White and her 20-year-old son, Kyle Lavergne, inside their small house. Investigators say it appears they were both shot.

No one had seen the victims in two days.

"Normally, you would see [Lavergne] on a Saturday morning, washing his car and the garage is always open. For it not to be open for two days, it was kind of strange," Mayberry said.

Police say family members got worried Saturday and requested officers do a welfare check after the victims failed to answer repeated phone calls.

One relative forced his way through a window. That's when they discovered the bodies.

Neighbors at the scene tell us Lavergne was near the door and his mother's body was found in a bedroom.

"We have some possibilities of people who heard some things late Thursday night, early Friday morning," Sgt. Billy Bush said.

Police say they don't have a motive, nor do they have any leads on suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to call police.

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Arson investigating suspicious apartment fire

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Arson investigators are looking into what caused a fire at an apartment in southwest Houston.

A maintenance worker called 9-1-1 after spotting the fire at the apartment on South Post Oak Ln. near Pinewold around 8:45pm Saturday.

No one was inside the apartment when the blaze erupted, officials said.

The unit below has some water and smoke damage and the unit where the fire started has heavy fire damage.

Firefighters say the flames spread to the attic, but were extinguished before they could spread to other units.

According to authorities, the renters are out of town, so the fire is suspicious.

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