Texas Shooting Spree: Suspect Arrested For Spree That Left 3 Dead And 1 Wounded

Houston police said Thursday they arrested a suspect in the shooting deaths of three people and the wounding of a fourth.

The arrest of Joshua Kelsey, 35, followed a short car chase around 4 a.m. Police said Kelsey was spotted driving a 2012 Kia Forte he allegedly stole from one of the crime scenes. The chase ended after Kelsey was stopped on the Southwest Freeway.

No charges were filed immediately. The investigation was continuing.

Kelsey’s alleged spree started around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday when police were called about shots fired in the city’s Central Southwest district. Two men were found with gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The first victim was declared dead shortly after arriving, while the second was sent to surgery and was in critical condition.

Police were then called to the scenes of two more reported shootings around 8:30 p.m. at the home of a 60-year-old man. Police said the shooter appeared to have forced their way into the house. The third scene was at the home of a man said to be in his 40s who was reportedly shot while answering the door.

Both men were rushed to nearby hospitals and declared dead after arriving.

Police said they believed drugs to be the shootings’ primary motivation and that Kelsey likely knew the four victims. The identity victims were withheld.

“We're early on in the investigation, but we've got pretty good information to know that it's drug-related,” Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner said during a press conference.

He said officers believed Kelsey got into an argument with the first two victims that escalated and ended with Kelsey allegedly shooting both before moving on to the other two victims’ homes.

“People need to understand it's the wrong time to sell drugs. It's the wrong time to do anything. We're still fighting COVID,” Finner said. “There is a shortage of drugs on these streets. There's an increase of homicides in our city. I said it once and I'll say it again: It's the wrong time. Anytime is the wrong time to sell drugs, definitely now.”