Houston park ranger lucky to be alive after shooting

Houston police are investigating the shooting of a Houston park ranger at Keith Weiss Park, located at 12000 Aldine Westfield, about 9 p.m. on Sunday (June 19).

Ranger David Watson, 31, suffered a possible gunshot wound to his right leg and was treated and released. Ranger Watson is employed by the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer A. Palos reported:

Ranger Watson was closing and locking the gates of the park when he was approached by a Hispanic male who demanded the ranger turn off his headlights. Ranger Watson advised the male suspect the headlights were on to notify anyone in the park that the park was closing.

The suspect then began yelling and cursing at Ranger Watson to turn off the headlights, before walking to a gold Toyota Camry where he retrieved a black revolver and started shooting at the ranger’s marked city vehicle. The suspect fired several times, striking the city vehicle. Ranger Watson was also struck in his right leg, possibly by a bullet fragment.

Ranger Watson fled the location and called Houston Police officers. When officers arrived, the suspect and his vehicle were gone.

Ranger Watson was treated at a nearby location by Houston Fire Department personnel and released at the scene.

The suspect is described only as a Hispanic male, 18-25 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with crew cut hair and wearing a black shirt and black shorts.