Authorities said the confrontation grew into a vehicle chase that ejected three people, including an infant, before a man was killed.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A dispute among family members over child custody escalated into a stolen-truck chase, two crashes and a fatal shooting early Saturday in northwest Harris County, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The episode began shortly after 2 a.m. with an argument involving members of a family, investigators said. A man involved in the confrontation allegedly took a red pickup truck from a gas station as other family members tried to leave the area.
Deputies said the man followed the fleeing relatives in the stolen truck. The pursuit ended in the 12000 block of Veterans Memorial Drive, where a silver sedan left the roadway and crashed into a ditch.
Three occupants of the sedan, including an infant, were ejected during the crash, authorities said. All three were taken to a hospital and were expected to survive. Officials had not released their names, ages or detailed medical conditions as of Sunday.
The stolen pickup also crashed nearby and struck a gazebo, investigators said. One person who had been inside the truck was injured but was able to walk away from the wreck. Authorities did not provide further information about that person’s injuries or role in the events.
Family members were contacted after the crashes and began arriving at the scene, according to investigators. An adult male relative then approached the man accused of taking the truck.
The suspect pulled out a firearm and shot the relative, deputies said. The victim died at the scene. His identity had not been publicly released pending notification of relatives and confirmation by authorities.
The alleged shooter fled before deputies could take him into custody. Investigators said they had identified him, but his name and description were not immediately released. Authorities also had not announced criminal charges or said whether the firearm had been recovered.
The sheriff’s office continued investigating the original family dispute, the taking of the pickup, the vehicle pursuit, both crashes and the shooting. Officials had not disclosed who had legal custody of the child or explained the specific issue that prompted the initial argument.
No additional details were released about the infant or the other hospitalized occupants. The investigation remained active Sunday as deputies searched for the identified suspect and worked to establish a complete timeline.
Author note: Last updated July 26, 2026.