Woman shot in head and killed on bus in Houston was innocent bystander, authorities say
Houston police have arrested two suspects after a woman on a bus was shot in the head and killed on a city bus Wednesday. Another passenger was wounded.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, known as METRO, says a man got on the bus and opened fire, aiming at two men who were also on board, but hit the 25-year-old woman.
METRO Police Chief Ban Tien said the woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Houston police said a 16-year-old male went to a local hospital, reporting he'd been wounded in the shooting. His condition wasn't known.
"The individual who fired first and caused the fatal injury has been charged with murder," METRO said in a statement Thursday. "The second individual, who allegedly returned fire and injured another passenger, has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. "
Earlier, Houston police released photos of the suspects on social media.
HPD is searching for these two suspects (below) wanted for the fatal shooting of a female, 25, and injury of a juvenile male, 16, at 10800 Richmond about 2:30 p.m. yesterday (Jan. 7).
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 8, 2026
TIPS: Call HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or @CrimeStopHOU
More info: https://t.co/MaG5sMUzdQ pic.twitter.com/NTi4d7ehV9
METRO said the bus operator immediately stopped the bus and followed protocol, safely getting all the other passengers off.
METRO and Houston police swarmed the area seeking the shooter. Members of the public were asked to avoid the area.
Surveillance footage from the bus was given to detectives and witnesses provided information to investigators as well, METRO noted.
A man who was on the bus at the time told CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV he thinks the man who was shot got hit in the leg. "It was only two shots," he said.