Teen shot dead over holiday weekend, Texas cops say. 13-year-old brother charged
The younger brother of a 14-year-old shot on the Fourth of July in Houston has been charged in his death, Texas detectives say.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence after receiving a report that a teen had been shot during the early-morning hours of Friday, July 4. The teen’s siblings, a 13-year-old brother and a 17-year-old sister, were also at the home at the time of the shooting, detectives say.
The 14-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
“Anytime we have a loss of life, it’s a sad day, whether it’s a holiday or not,” Lt. Abraham Alanis said in a news conference streamed by KHOU. “But obviously it hurts more when they’re expecting to celebrate a holiday, and now they have a family member who is no longer going to be with you.”
Detectives said multiple firearms were found at the scene and that the incident was being investigated, KPRC reported.
On Aug. 15, the sheriff’s office announced detectives arrested and charged the victim’s brother with manslaughter in connection with the shooting.
“Detectives believe that the 13-yr-old was handling the rifle when it discharged,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in an X post.
The teen is being held at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center, Gonzalez reported.
This story was originally published August 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Teen shot dead over holiday weekend, Texas cops say. 13-year-old brother charged."