Houston Teen Charged With Murder After Grandmother Killed in Apartment Shooting

WEBSTER, Texas – A 17-year-old has been charged with murder after police say he opened fire on an apartment, killing his grandmother in what investigators believe was an attempt to shoot another family member.

Noah Dodson is charged with murder in the 495th State District Court in connection with the July 21 shooting at The Landing at Clear Lake apartment complex in the 200 block of El Dorado Boulevard.

The victim was identified as 59-year-old Sonia Caesar. The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by a penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen.

According to Houston Police Department investigators, officers responded to a shooting call at approximately 1:50 p.m. and found Caesar suffering from a gunshot wound inside the apartment. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Detectives determined Dodson was the suspect and later arrested him.

Investigators believe Caesar was not the intended target. According to police, Caesar was inside the apartment with her two teenage sons when a man rode up to the residence on a bicycle and fired multiple shots into the apartment. At least one bullet struck Caesar.

Police believe one of the shots was fired through a window near the top of a staircase, where Caesar was standing at the time.

Investigators later learned Dodson was staying at a nearby home. Officers spotted him at the residence, but he fled on foot before disappearing from view.

A Houston Police Department helicopter equipped with thermal imaging technology was called in to assist with the search. During the search, the helicopter crew detected an unusually warm trash can in the backyard of a nearby home.

Officers evacuated the home’s occupants before approaching the trash can with K-9 officers. Police said Dodson emerged from the trash can and attempted to flee by jumping a fence, but officers quickly surrounded him and took him into custody.

Authorities said Dodson was not armed when he was arrested.

The investigation remains ongoing.