Incident in Midtown Houston
Introduction to the Incident
A bizarre incident occurred in midtown Houston on March 27, where a man was shot at for simply taking a bathroom break at an abandoned strip mall. The suspect, identified as Willie Edward Clemons, 58, has been charged with aggravated assault.
What Happened
The victim, who was driving, urgently needed to use the restroom and pulled over into what appeared to be an empty strip mall parking lot at 2911 Fannin Street. As he got out of his vehicle to relieve himself, he heard a gunshot but initially didn’t think it was directed at him. Moments later, he heard another shot and the sound of glass shattering.
The Suspect
The victim reported seeing the suspected shooter, identified as Willie Edward Clemons, whom he described as an older man wearing a “durag” or “bandana” with long hair hanging out the back. Clemons fired another shot toward the victim before getting into his own vehicle and attempting to flee.
The Chase
The victim got back into his car and followed Clemons onto the North Freeway, hoping to capture the suspect’s license plate number. While on the freeway, the victim called 911 and told police details about Clemons’ vehicle and plate number. The chase continued until the victim exited the freeway, at which point Clemons also exited onto a side street and disappeared from sight.
Investigation
The victim later met officers at a parking lot in the 8100 block of the North Freeway. The officer at the scene noticed that the victim’s rear passenger window and smaller rear quarter-panel window were shattered, and a bullet had gone through the rear passenger door and backseat area of his vehicle. Police traced the license plate to Clemons, who has a prior felony theft arrest from 2014 and holds a concealed handgun license.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, even in seemingly safe areas. The victim’s quick thinking and actions helped the police identify the suspect, and Clemons is now facing charges for his actions. Anyone with information on Clemons’ whereabouts is urged to contact Houston police. The community is reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to ensure public safety.
