HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — An investigation is underway in the Stone Creek neighborhood after a 16-year-old was found dead in a barn with a gunshot wound early Monday morning.
The incident occurred just north of the Grand Parkway and east of Mueschke Road, near the Tomball area.
What we know right now:
- Deputies responded at 3:30 a.m. to a report of a male being shot on Stone Creek Court.
- A 16-year-old was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest in a barn behind a home.
- A group of six teens, ages 16 to 17, were present. They were drinking alcohol and handling a firearm that discharged.
- Victim's 17-year-old brother faces potential charges in shooting.
- The teens' parents were not home when the shooting happened.
According to investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call of a shooting around 3:30 a.m. at a home on Stone Creek Court. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a 16-year-old with a gunshot wound.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said a group of teens, ages 16 to 17, were drinking alcohol and handling a firearm when the gun discharged, hitting the victim. The teen handling the gun was later identified as the victim's brother.
The brother is expected to face charges in connection with the deadly shooting.
"The individual who fired the shot is the victim’s 17-year-old brother. We believe this was a tragic situation caused by reckless handling of a firearm," HCSO Sgt. Jason Brown, homicide division, said.
Investigators said the teens' parents were not home at the time of the shooting.
"There are multiple firearms in the house, and we are still investigating how the firearm was accessed," Brown said.
The teens attempted first aid and called 911 immediately after the shooting, deputies said.
"This was a tragic situation caused by poor decision-making and lack of supervision," Brown said.