2 dead, 3 injured in possible murder-suicide at Cinco Ranch house-warming party

Two women who were shot were both airlifted to Houston hospitals in serious condition late Wednesday night. Two women who were shot were both airlifted to Houston hospitals in serious condition late Wednesday night. Photo: OnScene TV Photo: OnScene TV Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close 2 dead, 3 injured in possible murder-suicide at Cinco Ranch house-warming party 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Two people are dead and three are recovering in Houston-area hospitals after a house-warming party erupted into gunfire near Katy late Wednesday night.

John Wright allegedly opened fire during the gathering around 11:30 p.m. inside a newly rented home in the 5500 block of Everhart Manor Lane, fatally wounding his sister and injuring three others inside the home, according to Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. Wright then turned the firearm on himself, Nehls said.

His sister, who died on scene, was identified as Julianna Carr.

A woman inside the home escaped as Wright was shooting, according to Nehls. She hopped a backyard fence and called 911 for help.

Sheriff's deputies who rushed to the house ran inside and found five people with gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced Carr dead inside the home, while the suspected gunman later died at an area hospital.

Two women who were shot were both airlifted to Houston hospitals in serious condition. One was shot in the chest while the other had a gunshot wound in the face, Nehls said.

The fifth victim, a man, was shot in the hand. All three are expected to survive.

Deputies also found two young girls locked inside a bathroom, who were unharmed, Nehls said.

"It's going to take some time now to process this scene," Nehls said early Thursday morning. "It's just a tragic, tragic situation."

Detectives said the rental house was filled with unpacked boxes and that the occupants had moved in July 1. It was not immediately clear if the shooter was a tenant or visiting.

Nehls said there is no threat to the public.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message