fatal shooting occurred on Friday morning, September 25, 2026, near the Westbury High School campus in southwest Houston. Houston

HOUSTON, Texas — A fatal shooting occurred on Friday morning, September 25, 2026, near the Westbury High School campus in southwest Houston. Houston Police Department (HPD) officers and emergency responders arrived at an apartment complex near Dryad Drive and Chimney Rock Road around 8:21 a.m. following reports of shots fired. First responders located 17-year-old LePaul Warren Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment at the scene before transporting him to a regional trauma facility, where he was pronounced deceased. In response to the off-campus shooting, Houston Independent School District (HISD) officials placed Westbury High School under secure status as a safety precaution while law enforcement established a perimeter.

Official Status and Ongoing Homicide Investigation

The Houston Police Department Homicide Division is leading the active investigation. Preliminary witness accounts indicate that a group of students had gathered near the end of Dryad Drive prior to the start of the school day when an unidentified individual emerged from a nearby wooded area. Following a physical or verbal confrontation, the suspect produced a handgun, fired at Warren, and fled the scene. HPD detectives are reviewing public safety cameras, gathering video evidence, and interviewing witnesses to determine the motive and establish the identity of the shooter, who remains at large.

Community Impact and Academic Legacy

Warren was a high school senior, a wide receiver for the varsity football team, and a shooting guard for the varsity basketball team. Family members shared that he maintained aspirations of pursuing a university degree in engineering alongside his athletic career. The incident occurred on the morning of Westbury High School's scheduled homecoming pep rally. HISD administration announced that grief counselors would be made available on campus to assist students, teachers, and athletic staff. Law enforcement authorities request anyone with information or video recordings related to the incident to contact the Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers of Houston.