HOUSTON — A woman was shot Friday after an argument at the Houston Zoo spilled over into Hermann Park, police said.
It happened just after 2 p.m. when police said the woman and a man got into an argument over a parking spot at the zoo. They said a zoo security guard intervened when the woman assaulted a man over the spot.
HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu said the woman left the parking lot with four children in her car but was approached by other security guards nearby.
Houston police said the woman used her car to hit one of the security guards, who then opened fire on her vehicle. The car crashed into a tree near the golf course.
"Another security guard approached, she hit him with her vehicle, and that’s when apparently the shots were fired into the vehicle," Cantu said.
The woman was shot several times, but the children weren't injured, police said. She was taken to an area hospital and was reportedly stable.
The security guard who was hit by her car suffered minor injuries and was able to talk to police at the scene. The guard was also taken to a hospital where they are in stable condition according to police.
Authorities said at least two armed security guards contracted by the zoo were involved in the incident but don't know yet how many of them fired shots. Houston police said no one had been detained and they're not sure if charges will be filed.
Police said the scene was secured immediately after the shooting.
In a statement to KHOU 11, a spokesperson for the Houston Zoo said "the Houston Zoo doesn't manage, own or operate the parking in Hermann Park. Those lots are property of the City of Houston," adding "the Houston Zoo remains safe and secure."
Here's the update Houston police provided at the scene: