Houston Taco Cabana employee charged after alleged accidental workplace shooting and suspected evidence tampering, records show

Police response and alleged self-inflicted gunshot

A 19-year-old employee of a Taco Cabana in Houston has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm and tampering with evidence after authorities say he accidentally shot himself while at work.

Houston police were dispatched to the restaurant at 700 North Loop West on January 14, 2026, on a call reported as a shooting in progress. When officers arrived, the employee was found bleeding with an apparent gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

What investigators say happened inside the restaurant

Investigators allege the employee told them he was on break inside the kitchen area when a firearm he had in his pants discharged. Another employee told police she heard a loud noise—described as similar to a firework—then saw the injured employee stand up quickly and appear to jump up and down in distress.

Authorities also documented a sequence of movements after the discharge. The employee and co-workers called for medical help. Investigators say the employee ran to the men’s restroom, exited through the back door, and later returned to the restaurant.

Charges filed: unlawful carrying and tampering allegations

The case includes two separate allegations:

• Unlawfully carrying a firearm: Prosecutors accepted the charge on the basis that the employee was under 21 years old at the time of the incident.

• Tampering with evidence: Police records indicate the employee would not disclose where the firearm was after the shooting and told investigators he did not know its location.

Prior case history referenced in court records

Court records in the case indicate the employee had previously faced unlawful-carry allegations. At the time of the January 14 incident, records show he was on a 13-month probation term ordered in August 2025 tied to a separate unlawful-carry case. Records also reflect an unlawful-carry case filed in February 2024 that was dismissed after he completed a pretrial diversion program.

What comes next

The charges move the case into the criminal court process, where prosecutors must prove the elements of each offense and the defense may challenge the facts, the characterization of events, and the legal basis for the charges. The incident also highlights the operational risks created when firearms are brought into workplaces—particularly food-service settings—where crowded spaces and constant movement can amplify the consequences of a single discharge.

For readers: anyone who witnesses a shooting or finds a firearm in a public setting should avoid handling it and contact law enforcement immediately.