Two dead in rush hour shooting on Interstate 10 in Houston Traffic tied up for hours

Houston Police investigate the scene on I-10 east near Mercury Dr, after two people were shot and killed on the freeway. The shooter is still on the loose, Thursday August 9, 2019, in Houston. Houston Police investigate the scene on I-10 east near Mercury Dr, after two people were shot and killed on the freeway. The shooter is still on the loose, Thursday August 9, 2019, in Houston. Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Two dead in rush hour shooting on Interstate 10 in Houston 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

In a dramatic early evening shooting, two men were shot to death on Interstate 10, tying up eastbound lanes filled with rush-hour motorists, according to Houston police

The shooter remains at large after fleeing the scene, police said. Assistant Police Chief Bobby Dobbins said witnesses described the weapon as possibly an AR15.

"A major accident makes you mad on the way home, but seeing something like this to a normal citizen ...witnesses are very disturbed," Dobbins said.

It's unclear what led to the shooting. Police said narcotics were found in the victim's sedan.

Dobbins described a frightful scene with motorists driving around two vehicles involved in the incident as rounds were being fired.

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Police first responded to a crash on the scene at 5:57 p.m.

Witnesses said the suspect's vehicle first struck the victims' silver 4-door sedan on the freeway, causing the sedan to spin out in the middle of traffic, according to police.

At least one male suspect got out of the his car and started firing toward the sedan with what witnesses described as a rifle. The suspect, who was not identified, reportedly fired toward the sedan as it rolled down the freeway and came to a stop.

Police said the suspect got in front of the sedan and reportedly fired several rounds at the victims' windshield, leaving both adult male occupants dead on the scene.

Police said another suspect also may have gotten out of the car but could not confirm that detail.

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A witness behind the sedan reportedly thought the shooter would fire at him. The witness then grabbed his personal pistol and shot at the suspect, who got back into the car and fled the scene, according to Assistant HPD Chief Bobby Dobbins.

Dobbins said police do not have a good description of the suspect or the suspect's vehicle.

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Police said they do not know whether the incident was related to drugs, road rage or something else.

Interstate 10 east at John Ralston Road was closed due to the incident with traffic backed up for hours.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.