HOUSTON, Texas – A community is mourning the tragic deaths of two teenagers following a mass shooting during what was touted as the "hottest teen club" pop-up party, known as the Curfew Club, on Saturday night.
The shooting erupted around 11:20 PM at the makeshift venue located on Jensen Drive near the Eastex Freeway. Houston Police reported observing chaos upon their arrival, with attendees, mostly juveniles, running for safety as shots rang out. Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra described the scene as "a very hectic scene—a large crowd of people running out of a makeshift club."
Sadly, 14-year-old Azirya Bankhead was confirmed dead after the incident, alongside 16-year-old King Randle, who passed away at the scene. Their deaths have shattered the lives of their families. A heartbroken Charlisa Jones, Bankhead's mother, expressed her grief, stating, "They killed my baby. I don't wish this on nobody. I want my baby back." Meanwhile, Randle's mother shared memories of her son, affirming, “He was very smart and respectful. His teachers loved him. Everyone he met had something positive to say about him.”
Four other female teenagers sustained injuries; their ages ranged from 13 to 19 years old. The 13-year-old girl is currently reported to be in critically unstable condition, raising concerns for her family and the broader community. Another young victim, age 18, is reported seriously injured, with older victims classified as stable.
This shooting incident highlights the risks associated with unsanctioned parties. City officials and law enforcement, including Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, noted the rising concern surrounding such pop-up events, stating, “Pop-up parties raise public safety concerns and teens need to stay away for their own safety.” These gatherings are increasingly facilitated via social media, often without proper permits or security measures.
Investigative reports indicate the shooting was likely executed by an unidentified assailant who allegedly wore all black and fired indiscriminately at the crowd. Witnesses have been encouraged to come forward with any pertinent information or evidence, especially videos taken during the incident. The Houston Police Department is actively soliciting help from the public, urging anyone who saw anything to provide their account to Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has characterized these events as utterly tragic, emphasizing the need for community awareness: "We ought to keep them [the families] in our prayers. We lost some young people tonight...that was very preventable, if they didn’t come to locations such as this.”
One local city councilman, Mario Castillo, expressed deep concerns for youth safety at pop-up parties and has pledged to work with city officials on regulating future events to mitigate risk. "It’s hard to regulate them. We've looked at what can be done to help prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” Castillo affirmed. He indicated the need for more stringent fines and accountability to deter the management of unregulated gatherings.
The investigation remains open as detectives pursue leads and establish the circumstances surrounding the event. City officials are already considering legislative actions directed at managing non-sanctioned gatherings to protect young attendees, highlighting the community’s desperate need for action to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.
At this time, the grieving community implores anyone with knowledge or video of the event to reach out, as the families and authorities seek justice for the victims taken too soon. This situation serves as a grave reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of protecting the youth within the community.
