September 28, 2021 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 9635 Scott Street about 9:50 p.m. on Monday (September 27).

The suspect, Al Vernon Brown Jr. (b/m, 47), is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 177th State District Court and has pending charges of murder and aggravated assault of a police officer.  A booking photo of Brown is attached to this news release.

The identity of the victim, 17, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant S. Jimenez and Detective L. Kauffman reported:

The suspect, Brown Jr., entered the convenience store at the above address, produced two pistols, and ordered the five customers and three employees to lock the door and get on the ground.  He threatened to shoot anyone who tried to leave.  Several people outside the store saw what was happening, and as Brown continued to brandish the pistols, one of the individuals (victim) outside the store then entered with a pistol of his own and demanded Brown release the hostages.  The victim pointed his pistol at Brown who fired both guns at the victim and an unknown male hostage who fled the store when the victim entered.  The victim was struck in the torso and fled outside where he collapsed.  It is unknown if the male hostage who fled was also struck.

Officers soon arrived at the scene, took cover, and told the hostages to get down.  As the officers approached, Brown dropped the pistols, giving the hostages a chance to flee.  Officers entered the store and arrested Brown without incident.  

The victim was transported to an area hospital by Houston Fire Department paramedics where he was pronounced deceased.

The motive is not known, although robbery is not believed to be a factor.

Anyone with information in this case or the identity of the hostage who initially fled is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.