Suspect Charged in 2021 Fatal Shooting on South Gessner Road in the Westchase Area

Houston police have charged a suspect in the 2021 fatal shooting of a man that occurred at 2900 South Gessner Road around 3:40 a.m. on April 18, 2021.

Shannon Washington, 46, is charged with capital murder in the 232nd Criminal District Court. A 2022 booking photo of Washington, who is currently in Texas Department of Criminal Justice custody on an unrelated charge, has been released by HPD.

The victim, 28-year-old Dave Stephens, was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Holbrook and Detectives J. Roscoe and R. Lujan reported that Stephens had arrived at his apartment complex with his girlfriend. Stephens dropped off his girlfriend near their apartment and went to park his white Nissan Rogue. Moments later, his girlfriend heard gunshots and looked outside, witnessing that Stephens had been shot.

During the incident, Stephens’ vehicle was stolen and later recovered abandoned in north Houston.

Investigators, with assistance from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the Houston Forensic Science Center, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, conducted extensive forensic work that led to identifying Washington as a suspect. On Thursday, September 25, Washington was formally charged with capital murder.

Washington remains in custody at TDCJ on an unrelated case. HPD continues to investigate the shooting and encourages anyone with information to contact the Homicide Division.