Fatal Shooting on Lamar Street Referred to Grand Jury

The Houston Police Department (HPD) is referring the case of the fatal shooting that occurred on Lamar Street in the early hours of November 9 to a Harris County grand jury.

The victim, identified as Matthew Harris, 20, was found unresponsive at the intersection of Lamar Street and Austin Street, suffering from gunshot wounds.

HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call near the location, and Houston Fire Department paramedics transported Harris to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Harris and several others were walking on Austin Street when they approached two unknown males. One was described as wearing a pink or light orange shirt, and the other had long hair and was in a black and yellow costume with a striped tail. The two individuals in costume appeared to be either taking pictures or shooting a video. An altercation ensued, during which the individual in the costume produced a gun and shot Harris. Both suspects fled the scene, heading southbound on Austin Street.

Hours later, the two males returned to the scene and were observed getting into a white 2019 to 2024 Mazda 3 Hatchback Crossover SUV.

Surveillance footage and photos were released during a news conference on November 9, leading detectives to obtain information on the male shooter. Subsequently, the shooter was located and interviewed. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was consulted, and the case will now be presented to a Harris County grand jury for further review.