Authorities in Houston, Texas are on the lookout for the person responsible for shooting a 26-year-old driver multiple times in southwest Houston near Fort Bend County. The incident took place on the Sam Houston Tollway and West Hillcroft around noon on Monday.
The victim managed to drive over a mile to the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road and West Fuqua before crashing into a barrier. Despite the severity of the attack, he is currently in critical condition and receiving treatment at a local hospital. Reports indicate that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including at least one to the head.
Law enforcement officials suspect that the shooting may be linked to a case of road rage. If their suspicions are confirmed, this would mark the 15th road rage shooting reported within city limits this year. According to unofficial department data, there have been a total of 14 road rage shootings with similar motives so far in 2023.
Comparing to previous years, as of March 18, 2023, there had been nine reported road rage shootings. During the same period in 2022, the number was significantly higher at 20 incidents.
Commander Mark Holloway, who leads the Houston Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Division, emphasized the importance of reporting road rage incidents to authorities. He advised the public to call 911, provide their location, direction of travel, and any relevant details without engaging directly with the suspect.
Holloway also highlighted the department’s Safe Roadways Initiative, initiated in 2021 and reintroduced earlier this year after the tragic death of 17-year-old Louise Wilson in a road rage incident. The initiative aims to improve road safety and crack down on aggressive driving behaviors that lead to violence on the roads.
Collaborating with regional agencies such as the Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, HPD has conducted 24,000 traffic stops, made 1,100 arrests, and confiscated 38 firearms in the past 11 weeks.
In light of the prevalence of firearms in Texas, Commander Holloway stressed the importance of de-escalating tense situations on the road to avoid potentially dangerous confrontations.
For further updates on this case and other news stories, you can follow reporter Shannon Ryan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Stay informed and stay safe on the roads.
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