Newly released surveillance footage has captured the frantic moments when individuals fled for safety following a shooting incident at a grocery store in Houston’s Chinatown. The event, which took place on a Friday night, left two people in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. along Bellaire Boulevard, close to the Sam Houston Tollway. The footage, obtained from Juicy Box—a restaurant located just a few doors down from the scene of the shooting—depicts numerous patrons rushing towards the kitchen in an attempt to escape the chaos.
Claire Pec Sapon, an employee at Juicy Box, recounted the terrifying experience. She was in the back of the restaurant with her manager when approximately 20 people suddenly burst into the kitchen. “All I hear is run, run, run,” Sapon expressed, admitting she was frightened and contemplating how to reach her loved ones amidst the panic.
Authorities reported that the altercation which led to the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a dog. According to the Houston Police Department, a couple entered the grocery store with a dog, prompting a security guard to intervene due to health regulations prohibiting animals inside. This confrontation escalated, resulting in gunfire exchanged between the man and the security officer, both of whom were subsequently hospitalized with critical injuries.
Fortunately, a nearby police officer, alerted by the sound of gunfire, was able to apprehend the suspect. Remarkably, the woman and her dog were unharmed, and no additional injuries were reported.
Employees at Juicy Box shared their harrowing experiences during the incident. Lesly Cux-Saso described witnessing a crowd of 15 to 20 people sprinting toward the back of the restaurant, prompting her to follow them outside. “In my head, like, this can’t be happening,” Cux-Saso said, recalling the sound of gunshots echoing as they evacuated. “I was scared. I didn’t know how to feel.”
Another employee, Jasmine Reyes, initially struggled to comprehend the situation. “All you heard was run, run. There’s a shooting,” Reyes stated, expressing disbelief since she hadn’t heard any gunfire before the chaos ensued.
Houston police are actively investigating the shooting. As the inquiry continues, details about the identities of those involved have not yet been disclosed.
