One shot when gunfire erupts at after-school fight in NW Harris County

The brawl involved dozens of students from Cypress Lakes High. The brawl involved dozens of students from Cypress Lakes High. Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close One shot when gunfire erupts at after-school fight in NW Harris County 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

An after-school fight near a northwest Harris County high school erupted into gunfire on Friday, sending a student to the hospital.

Dozens of students from nearby Cypress Lakes High School were caught up in the brawl about 3:30 p.m. along the 19000 block of Sandelford, near West Little York and Barker Cypress.

The fight began immediately after class and quickly spilled into the neighborhood behind the school, officials said.

The fight may be linked to local gang activity, authorities said, but the motive was still unclear late Friday.

Harris County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Newby didn't know why the injured student, believed to be 19, seemed to have been the target.

"It's my understanding he's in the hospital E.R. in serious condition. But, it looks like he's going to make it," Newby said.

Dozens involved

Kevil Arnold was driving through his neighborhood when he saw the melee involving 50 to 60 high school students.

Arnold said he heard five gunshots then saw a wounded teen on the ground, his face covered in blood.

"He was moving around but he didn't say a word," Arnold said.

Much of the group scattered after the gunfire but some stayed to help the teen.

"I told them, throw him in the back of the truck so we can get him to the hospital," Arnold said.

He was soon taken by Life Flight helicopter ambulance to the hospital.

Sheriff's deputies questioned many of the teens. They were later released without charges.

Stephanie Morris said she has often noticed increased patrolling in the area by school police. She recently questioned one of the officers.

"He said, 'Ma'am, there are a lot of fights as soon as school gets out,' " Morris said. "It seems like it's a big problem."

'It's madness'

Newby said local authorities are doing their best.

"Every time we heard there is a large group of juveniles out here, we come out, break them up and move them along," he said.

Deputies have not found the pistol used in the fight.

Watching the wounded teen on the ground made Arnold recall his own past quarrels in high school.

"In the old days, you'd just fight then shake hands and go home," he said. "Now they're shooting each other. It's madness."