Houston, January 8, 2026
A tragic shooting incident occurred on a METRO bus in west Houston, resulting in the death of an innocent woman in her mid-20s. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspect, who is still at large. The shooting took place during the afternoon on Route 161, with police urging the public to provide any information that may lead to the apprehension of the suspect. This incident raises ongoing safety concerns on public transportation in the Houston area.
Houston
Manhunt Underway After Innocent Woman Fatally Shot on METRO Bus in West Houston
A manhunt is actively underway in Houston following a fatal shooting on a METRO bus in the Westchase area, where an innocent woman was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon. Police are searching for a single suspect who remains at large. A second individual, a gunshot victim possibly related to the bus shooting, later arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle, though their condition is currently unknown.
Incident Details
The tragic incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, on METRO bus 2611, which was operating on Route 161 near the intersection of Walnut Bend Lane and Richmond Avenue, just outside Beltway 8 in west Houston. Authorities confirmed that the victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was an innocent bystander and was not the intended target of the shooter. She was reportedly shot in the head and later pronounced dead at a local hospital after suffering severe injuries. The bus operator immediately stopped the vehicle and safely offloaded all passengers following the shooting. No other injuries were reported on the bus itself.
Ongoing Investigation and Suspect Description
Law enforcement, including the Houston Police Department (HPD) and METRO Police, has initiated a large-scale search for the suspect. HPD has taken over the homicide investigation. Police have established a perimeter in the 3200 block of Walnut Bend Lane and are utilizing resources such as drones, K9 officers, and helicopters in their search. The suspect is described as a male, between 17 and 20 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and light gray shorts. The public is urged to come forward with any information that could assist in apprehending the shooter.
METRO Safety Context
This incident occurs amidst efforts by METRO to enhance safety on its transportation system. Last fall, METRO’s police chief announced increased patrols following a series of violent incidents on buses and trains. While the agency reported a steady decrease in major crimes over the past three fiscal years—607 in 2022, 460 in 2023, and 278 in 2024—this latest shooting highlights ongoing safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened on the METRO bus in west Houston?
- An innocent woman was shot and killed on a METRO bus in the Westchase area of west Houston Wednesday afternoon. A manhunt is underway for the suspect.
- When did the shooting occur?
- The shooting occurred just after 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
- Where exactly did the incident take place?
- The incident took place on METRO bus 2611, Route 161, near the intersection of Walnut Bend Lane and Richmond Avenue, just outside Beltway 8, in the Westchase area of west Houston.
- Was the victim the intended target?
- No, authorities stated that the woman was an innocent bystander and not the intended target of the shooter.
- What are the details about the suspect?
- The suspect is described as a male, between 17 and 20 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a black hoodie and light gray shorts.
- Is there a second victim?
- Yes, a second gunshot victim, possibly related to the bus shooting, later arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle. Their condition is unknown.
Key Details of the METRO Bus Shooting
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | METRO bus 2611, Route 161, near Walnut Bend Lane and Richmond Avenue, Westchase area, west Houston |
| Date and Time | Wednesday, January 7, 2026, just after 2:30 p.m. |
| Victim | Innocent woman, mid-20s, fatally shot in the head |
| Suspect Status | One suspect, male, between 17-20 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and light gray shorts, currently on the run |
| Investigation Lead | Houston Police Department (HPD) |
| Additional Victims | One other gunshot victim transported to a hospital by private vehicle (condition unknown) |
Now Happening on X
- @FOX26Houston (January 7, 2026, 6:40 PM): A woman is dead and a suspect is on the run after a shooting on a METRO bus in Houston’s Westchase area, police say. View on X
- @EricaOnABC13 (January 8, 2026, 1:30 AM): The search is on for a young man (17-20) who shot and killed an innocent woman on a METRO bus in west Houston while targeting someone else, near Walnut Bend at Richmond Avenue. View on X
- @abc13houston (January 8, 2026, 7:00 AM): Woman dead, one injured after being shot by a man while riding METRO bus in west Houston, police say. View on X
- @HoustonChron (January 7, 2026, 11:22 PM): Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting and killing a woman on a Metro bus Wednesday evening in west Houston near Walnut Bend Lane and Richmond Avenue. View on X
- @houstonairw (January 7, 2026, 9:24 PM): News and police helicopters are working the Metro bus shooting scene in Westchase, Houston. View on X
- @TexasGOPGC (January 8, 2026, 4:07 AM): Police report an innocent woman was shot and killed on a METRO bus in west Houston, with a suspect on the run; a second person was injured. View on X
- @1032shotsfired (January 8, 2026, 1:24 AM): Bystander killed and another injured in west Houston METRO bus shooting; suspect believed to be targeting another person on the bus. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
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