METRO Shooting in Houston Leaves One Woman Dead. Federal Authorities File Weapons Charges Against One of the Suspected Teens
Federal authorities filed weapons charges against one of the teenagers arrested in the January shooting on a METRO bus in west Houston. The case, which left a 25-year-old woman dead and a 16-year-old boy wounded, now involves both state and federal proceedings.
According to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Patrick Scott, 18, faces charges of illegal possession of a machine gun and illegal receipt of a firearm and ammunition.
The METRO Shooting Occurred on January 7
The METRO shooting took place in the afternoon of January 7 at a bus stop near the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Walnut Bend Lane in west Houston. According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), two teenagers allegedly became involved in an argument before a gunfight broke out aboard the bus.
During the incident, Caitlin Stup, 25, died, and a 16-year-old was wounded, authorities said. Both teens were later arrested in connection with the case.
Federal Charges Against Patrick Scott
Federal prosecutors announced that Patrick Scott faces charges of illegal possession of a machine gun and illegal receipt of a firearm and ammunition. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, one of the 9mm shell casings recovered at the scene is believed to have been fired from a weapon allegedly linked to Scott.
According to court documents, the weapon was reportedly modified with a “machine gun conversion device,” which would allow a semi-automatic pistol to fire fully automatically. Such modification is prohibited under federal law.
The federal charges carry maximum penalties of up to 15 years in prison, plus fines that could reach $250,000 per count, prosecutors said.
State Charges and Legal Status
Scott had initially been charged in Harris County with illegally carrying a weapon, but that charge was dismissed, according to court records. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the dismissal of that charge.
The other involved teen, Brayden Smith, 17, faces a murder charge in Harris County for his alleged involvement in Stup’s death, HPD reported. Both youths were being held in the Harris County jail at the time of the federal announcements.
Defense attorneys representing Scott and Smith did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities Emphasize the Gravity of the METRO Shooting Case in Houston
In a statement, Douglas Williams, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Houston, said that Scott was out on bond for an aggravated robbery charge at the time of the METRO shooting.
Williams stated that Scott “allegedly should not have been in possession of a machine gun conversion device” and stressed that a woman was killed and a teenager seriously injured due to the alleged disregard for the lives of innocent people during the incident.
Federal authorities indicated that the use of modified firearms poses a significant risk to public safety, particularly in enclosed spaces such as public transit.
Impact on Public Transportation Security
Following the METRO shooting, the transit agency announced an expansion of its security initiative. METRO said it would increase the presence of uniformed officers throughout the system to deter violent acts and improve rider safety.
The case has raised concerns among daily public transit riders in Houston, especially on routes with heavy crowds during rush hours.
What Lies Ahead in the METRO Shooting Proceedings in Houston
As the case progresses, Scott will face the federal proceedings on the gun-related charges, while Smith will continue with his case in the state court system. Authorities have not announced when the first federal hearings might be held.
The METRO shooting remains under investigation, and authorities have reiterated that anyone with additional information can contact the Houston Police Department.
