More than 30 shots ring out in Third Ward neighborhood where residents weary of recent shootings

Residents of Houston’s Riverside Terrace neighborhood in the Third Ward voiced their frustration with escalating crime following a recent incident where more than 30 gunshots were fired after midnight on Monday.

Scott Clements, a resident of the area for a decade, displayed a collection of bullet casings he’s found over the years, illustrating the severity of the crime situation. “It’s nuts. It’s scary how many people are shooting off guns and driving around this neighborhood,” Clements remarked.

Houston Police Department reported that a man was shot and crashed his car on Arbor Street near Emancipation Avenue. He then sought help at a nearby club. Bullet casings from the shooting were discovered in the front yard of a home where a newborn was asleep.

Rayven Moore, head of the Riverside Terrace Civic Association, acknowledged the responsibility of addressing neighborhood concerns. “This is supposed to be a safe place, but it’s not,” Moore lamented, attributing some of the crime to nearby bars and nightlife.

Last year, a similar incident occurred a block away, with residents attributing the issues to crowds from bars spilling into the neighborhood.

Clements expressed disappointment with the lack of police presence during late hours and called for increased patrols, a sentiment echoed by Moore.

Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz acknowledged the crime challenges but emphasized that her district is no different from others facing similar issues. She mentioned allocating funds for police overtime and plans for the upcoming budget to provide additional resources.