Gunfire erupts at crowded strip center on FM 1960

(8/15/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A local man whose hobby is videography caught an unbelievable scene on videotape. What's even more disturbing is it happened right here in Harris County.

Dozens of gunshots were heard on videotape that was taken last Friday night. The man was at a strip center at FM 1960 and I-45 that was crowded with hundreds of people when the shots rang out.

On weeknights, the Northside parking lot is quiet and empty. But around 3am Saturday, dozens gunshots rang out there. From our best count, it was 29 in all, fired in a parking lot full of hundreds of people.

Chris David is the one who caught it all on tape.

"I felt like I was in Iraq," he said. "Like I was in a war zone."

David lives nearby and says he knows about the trouble when the clubs along 1960 close on weekend nights. The trouble is well known.

"I wouldn't advise anyone to move to this area," warned resident Cara Popemak.

Residents say cars cruise the streets and people, many who have been drinking, congregate in the parking lots, so the last few Fridays David just sat with his video camera and waited for something to happen. It did.

"Probably 20-30 rounds and it was definitely from at least three different guns," said David.

He hopes his video calls attention to what could happen.

"Somebody's going to get hurt. Somebody's going to get killed," he said. "Everyone knows it's out of control. I just don't think there are the resources to handle it."

He's right.

"You're asking if we have enough people to dedicate to this area? No," said Lt. Jonn Martin with the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

But Lt. Martin says they have conducted at least six operations in the area this year. It is on their radar. And this video is just a reminder of the problem.

"It's troubling for a number of reasons," said Lt. Martin. "We will continue to target this specific area as well as other problems areas."

"Somebody's got to do something," said David.

The sheriff's department did get several calls about the gunshots and deputies did respond. But by the time they got there, everyone had dispersed. There were no reports of injuries, so it appears the shooters were just firing in the air and everyone was lucky this time. Of course, we've heard of many injuries and even deaths in the past caused by falling bullets.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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