Houston, December 29, 2025
A shooting incident occurred late Saturday night at a short-term rental house in Houston’s Third Ward, leaving two teenagers injured, one critically. The event involved over 70 attendees and escalated from a fight between two women. The Houston Police are investigating the shooting, seeking surveillance footage, while the identities of both victims and the shooter remain unknown. The incident comes just before new city regulations for short-term rentals are set to take effect in January 2026.
Houston
Two teenagers were shot, with one in critical condition, following a large party at a short-term rental house in Houston’s Third Ward late Saturday night. The incident, which occurred in the 2700 block of Blodgett Street, involved a gathering of over 70 juveniles and escalated from a fight between two females.
Details of the Incident
Houston Police responded to a shooting call around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, who was subsequently reported to be in critical condition. Another 17-year-old male was located nearby with a gunshot wound to the foot. Both victims were transported to a local hospital.
The shooting reportedly followed an altercation that began between two women inside the rental property and then spilled into a parking lot across the street. The identity of the shooter remains unknown, as party attendees informed police they did not witness the shooting or know the individual responsible. Authorities are actively working to gather surveillance video from the area as part of their ongoing investigation.
Context: Short-Term Rental Regulations
This incident occurred shortly before new city regulations for short-term rentals are set to take effect. The Houston City Council approved an ordinance in April 2025, which will officially be enforced starting January 1, 2026. The ordinance mandates that all short-term rentals within city limits must be registered with the city and pay an annual fee of $275 per unit.
The new regulations also prohibit short-term rentals from being advertised as event spaces. Additionally, owners and operators will be required to complete human trafficking awareness training and provide a 24-hour emergency contact number that must respond to complaints within an hour. The city plans to launch a 24-hour complaint hotline on January 1, 2026, to address issues reported by the public, with complaints routed to appropriate city departments for investigation and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened in Houston’s Third Ward?
- Two teenagers were shot following a large party at a short-term rental house in Houston’s Third Ward late Saturday night.
- When did the shooting occur?
- The shooting occurred late Saturday night, December 28, 2025.
- Where exactly did the incident take place?
- The incident took place at a short-term rental house in the 2700 block of Blodgett Street in Houston’s Third Ward.
- How many people were shot and what is their condition?
- Two 17-year-old males were shot. One sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and is in critical condition, while the other was shot in the foot.
- What was the cause of the shooting?
- The shooting followed an altercation that began as a fight between two women at the party and then escalated into a nearby parking lot.
- Have there been any arrests or has a shooter been identified?
- The identity of the shooter remains unknown, and no arrests have been publicly announced.
- Are there new regulations for short-term rentals in Houston?
- Yes, the Houston City Council approved new regulations for short-term rentals in April 2025.
- When do the new short-term rental regulations take effect?
- The new regulations for short-term rentals will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
- What do the new regulations require from short-term rental owners?
- Owners must register their units with the city, pay an annual fee of $275 per unit, complete human trafficking awareness training, provide a 24-hour emergency contact number, and are prohibited from advertising their properties as event spaces.
Key Features of Houston’s New Short-Term Rental Ordinance
| Feature | Description | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Registration | All short-term rental units must be registered with the city. | January 1, 2026 |
| Annual Fee | An annual fee of $275 per unit is required for registration. | January 1, 2026 |
| Event Space Prohibition | Short-term rentals are prohibited from being advertised as event spaces. | January 1, 2026 |
| Emergency Contact | Owners must provide a 24-hour emergency contact number that must respond to complaints within an hour. | January 1, 2026 |
| Human Trafficking Training | Owners and operators are required to complete human trafficking awareness training. | January 1, 2026 |
| Complaint Hotline | A 24-hour complaint hotline will be available for public reporting of issues. | January 1, 2026 |
Now Happening on X
- @abc13houston (December 28, 2025, 10:20 PM): Houston police are investigating a shooting at a short-term rental party in the Third Ward that left two teenagers hospitalized. View on X
- @FOX26Houston (December 28, 2025, 11:00 PM): Authorities are probing a shooting incident at a Third Ward short-term rental party where two teens were injured late Saturday night. View on X
- @abc13houston (December 29, 2025, 2:40 AM): Reports confirm two teenagers were shot following a fight at a party in a Third Ward short-term rental, with police seeking more details. View on X
- @MissValerie4040 (December 29, 2025, 6:58 AM): Community discussion on the shooting of two teens at a Houston Third Ward short-term rental just before new city ordinances take effect. View on X
- @FOX26Houston (December 29, 2025, 12:00 AM): Update on the Third Ward shooting investigation involving a large party at a short-term rental property. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
