Shots echoed through a Kroger grocery store in Cypress, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon, according to Constable Mark Herman.
In Harris County, authorities reported that a domestic violence disturbance inside a Kroger in Cypress led to a shooting involving both a suspect and a victim, leaving both wounded.
Constable Mark Herman shared details of the incident on social media around 3 p.m. local time. The gunfire erupted at the Kroger situated at the crossroads of Mason Road and Cypresswood Drive, northwest of Houston, impacting multiple individuals.
Police reacted swiftly to the emergency. According to a spokesperson for Harris County Precinct 4, two men sustained gunshot wounds. One man managed to exit the store despite his injuries, while deputies discovered the other inside, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a hospital for treatment.
An initial investigation suggested the incident originated from a domestic violence dispute, as Constable Herman later indicated through social media.
He said the victim is in serious condition and was taken from the scene by Life Flight, and that the suspect sustained a gunshot wound to his neck. It was not clear how the suspect sustained the injury.
Law enforcement and emergency personnel were at the scene.
Herman advised people to avoid the area.
In a statement to KHOU, Kroger said they were “deeply saddened” by the shooting and were cooperating with local law enforcement.
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Witness describes the shooting
A witness said he wasn’t exactly sure what was happening when the incident began inside the store.
“I was putting some food in the cart, and I heard a scream that sounded a little weird,” said Patrick Young. “First thought was it was just kids messing around in the store.”
Young said he quickly realized it wasn’t kids, but adults. That was when he heard the shots ring out.
“I just turned around and ran in the opposite direction of the gunfire and out through the front door along with multiple other people,” he said. “There were old ladies trying to scramble. There were terrified kids.”
He said once he got outside, he yelled at people that there was a shooter inside the store and called 911. He said the response was very fast.
“The cops were here, like, within one minute, and I’m really proud of them,” Young said. “All of them were just jumping out of the car and running straight into there. There was no hesitation.”
He said he was in the frozen section near the middle of the store when the shots rang out toward the back-right corner of the store.