Houston police release person-of-interest photo after security guard killed during robbery at illegal game room

Investigation continues in Sharpstown-area killing

Houston police have released a photo of a person of interest they want to question in connection with the fatal shooting of a security guard during an armed robbery at an illegal game room in southwest Houston.

The shooting occurred at about 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2026, in the 7000 block of Bissonnet Street near Fondren Road. Officers responding to a report of a shooting arrived with Houston Fire Department personnel and found the security guard inside the establishment suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

What police have said so far

Investigators initially reported having no suspect descriptions and indicated that people who were inside the game room appeared to have left before police arrived. In the days following the shooting, detectives reviewed evidence and identified a man shown in an image as a person of interest. Police said he is wanted only for questioning and has not been charged.

The released image shows a man in dark clothing holding what appears to be a handgun. Police have not publicly identified the individual by name, and no arrest had been announced as of Feb. 18, 2026.

Scene details and the challenge of illegal game rooms

Police described the location as an illegal game room operating behind a façade intended to resemble another type of business from the outside. Investigators have said surveillance cameras in and around the area may be important to identifying those involved and reconstructing the sequence of events.

Illegal game rooms—often operating as clandestine gambling sites—can present investigative obstacles when witnesses are reluctant to come forward or when patrons quickly disperse after violence. In this case, police have emphasized the need for the public’s help in identifying and locating the person of interest.

How to provide information

• Houston Police Department Homicide Division: 713-308-3600
• Crime Stoppers of Houston: 713-222-TIPS

Police have characterized the individual in the released photo as a person of interest wanted for questioning, not a charged suspect.

The investigation remains active. Authorities have not released additional information about a possible motive beyond the reported robbery, nor have they detailed how many people may have participated in the crime.