Security Guard Flees Scene After Accidental Shooting at North Houston Nightclub
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – The Houston Police Department is investigating an accidental shooting that occurred early Sunday morning at an unlicensed nightclub in the Northline area, leaving two women injured. The incident took place around 3:30 a.m. in the 400 block of West Parker Road.
According to Lt. Riley of the HPD, hundreds of people were gathered outside the nightclub, attempting to gain entry. During this time, a security guard handling a shotgun accidentally discharged the weapon, causing pellets to ricochet off the sidewalk and hit two women.
Paige Bartlett, 20, was among those injured. “It doesn’t make sense to me. A security guard is carrying a shotgun,” she said. Bartlett recalled the guard showing off the weapon before it fired. “He was just trying to show off in front of everybody, and it backfired,” she added.
Pellets struck Bartlett in the leg and forehead, while another woman was injured in the torso. Both women were treated on the scene by Houston Fire Department personnel and released.
Witnesses reported that the security guard fled the scene immediately after the accidental discharge. Officials have not provided further details on the guard’s identity or physical description.
The guard later came forward voluntarily, claiming he dropped the gun, causing the accidental shooting. Bartlett disputed this, stating, “It’s being said that it was an accident, and it was not an accident. He could have killed people.”
HPD is currently investigating the incident and searching for more information about the guard’s credentials. Preliminary reports indicate the club, identified as La Mona, did not have the necessary permits to operate.
The City of Houston requires after-hours clubs to obtain permits and comply with regulations, but officials confirmed that La Mona had not secured the appropriate permits. HPD has indicated that they will pursue violations of the ordinance as part of their follow-up investigation.
As the investigation continues, no charges have been filed against the security guard. The district attorney’s office has referred the case for further examination. Attempts to contact the owner of La Mona for comment have been unsuccessful.