Officers with Cleveland Police Department were called to the Grand Oaks Subdivision just before 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, after reports of a shooting on Wade Hampton Drive. When authorities arrived, they found a 32-year-old male resident of the subdivision suffering from a gunshot wound to his hip.
A short time later, police located a suspicious vehicle on nearby Poppy Hills Lane that matched surveillance footage from homes in the area. The vehicle had a flat tire and was pressed against a curb.
Neighbors reportedly told officers they had never seen the vehicle in the neighborhood before. Police noted that items visible through the windows of the car were consistent with evidence found on Wade Hampton Drive, where the shooting took place.
Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard said the shooting victim may have been involved in illegal activity at the time of the incident.
A handgun was recovered near the scene, though police have not determined whether it belonged to the injured man or the shooter.
Liberty County Sheriff’s deputies assisted Cleveland police by deploying an infrared drone to search the wooded area near the abandoned vehicle, but no suspects were located. The vehicle was impounded and transported to the police department’s crime lab, where it will be searched once a warrant is obtained from a local magistrate.
The injured man was transported to HCA Kingwood Hospital and was in stable condition as of Monday evening. Police Capt. Scott Felts said investigators are developing a strong case and believe they soon will be able to identify the shooter or shooters.
Felts also confirmed that a 16-year-old was present during the incident and reportedly was accompanying the man who was shot. The teenager was not seriously injured. Police have not released any names at this time.