Houston police search for suspect after restaurant dispute escalates into gunfire, injuring an uninvolved bystander
What happened
A woman was hospitalized after being struck by gunfire during a shooting at a north Houston restaurant over the weekend, as police continued searching for the man suspected of firing the shots.
Houston police said the incident occurred Saturday night at Chacho’s, located along the North Freeway near East Tidwell Road. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of gunfire and damage to the building, including a shattered window. The suspected shooter had left before police arrived.
Sequence described by investigators
Investigators said the episode began with a dispute inside the restaurant when a customer was denied service. Police have not identified why service was refused.
According to the initial account provided by investigators at the scene, the man left the restaurant, went to a vehicle, retrieved a firearm, and then fired toward the restaurant. A bystander not involved in the dispute was hit once and transported to a hospital. Police said she was listed in stable condition.
Location: Chacho’s on the North Freeway near East Tidwell Road
Timeframe: Saturday night (Feb. 7, 2026)
Injury: One female bystander struck by gunfire; reported stable at the hospital
Property damage: A window at the restaurant was shattered by a bullet
What is known and what is not
Police have not released the suspect’s name or a detailed description in connection with this case, and it was not immediately clear whether the suspect and the injured bystander knew each other. Investigators also have not stated whether the shooter fired from outside the restaurant, at the entrance, or after re-entering the building. No additional injuries were confirmed in the information provided by police at the scene.
Authorities indicated the investigation remains active, including efforts to identify and locate the suspect. As with many shooting investigations, detectives typically seek surveillance video from nearby businesses and roadway cameras, along with witness interviews, to corroborate the sequence of events and clarify the suspect’s movements before and after the gunfire.
The shooting underscores how quickly confrontations in public settings can create risk for uninvolved patrons and employees, particularly when firearms are introduced into disputes that begin as routine service issues.
What happens next
Police are expected to continue collecting video, physical evidence, and witness statements while working to identify the shooter. Anyone with information that could help investigators narrow a suspect description or vehicle information may be asked to contact Houston police or submit tips through established reporting channels.