Shootings in TX City leave 1 dead, 1 injured

TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK) -- One man is in custody and another still on the run after a pair of shootings overnight in Texas City. Police say the incidents are unrelated and now the family of one of the victims is speaking out.

Texas City police were busy all night and this morning, they have one of the alleged gunmen in custody and a warrant out for another.

The first alleged shooter is Wesley Lawrence Henderson, 18, who is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police say Henderson allegedly shot 18-year-old TSU freshman football player Destin Sarpy. Police say Sarpy showed up alone at Mainland Medical Center around 9pm with a gunshot wound to the ribs and a graze from a bullet on his face. He was transported via LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital and has since been released.

The second suspected shooter is still on the run. He is 42-year-old Paul Anthony Crayton. That shooting happened at the Bourbon Street bar on Texas Avenue. Police found the victim -- James Martin Jr. -- dead outside the bar. Martin, 38, had been shot three times in the back and died at the scene. Police say Crayton attempted to shoot a second man.

"We responded to a man with a gun who had shot at least one person, maybe two or three. Upon our officers' arrival, there was one man down in front of the bar who had been shot numerous times," said Captain Brian Goetschius with the Texas City Police Department. "The suspect actually went in the bar and also shot at another man through a bathroom door and then he left."

We found Martin's parents as they were leaving the police department. They say they can't think of anyone who would want to hurt their son.

"My son was very good. He has nine kids he loves. He loves his family. He's done good in the community his whole life. He helped everybody. I just want the killer to be caught," said Deborah Merchant, mother of the victim.

Texas City police say so far there is no motive in either shooting.

Anyone with information in either case is asked to call the Texas City Crime Stoppers at 409-945-8477.

Get more Local »

texas city, local, katie mccall

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•