UPDATE 11/12: Charges have been dropped against Willie Young, KHOU reports, as prosecutors look for two more suspects.
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Harris County deputies arrested two suspects in connection with a deadly weekend shootout that took the lives of two teenagers and injured nearly 20 other people.
Willie Young and Randy Stewart — aged 21 and 18, respectively — were taken into custody Monday morning, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Young faces charges of deadly conduct while Stewart stands accused of aggravated assault.
More than 100 partygoers, primarily high school students, had gathered for a Saturday night birthday party when gunshots broke out just before 11 p.m.
Seventeen-year-old Qu’eric Danariu Richardson, a student at Morton Ranch High School, was killed along with a unidentified 16-year-old girl. As many as 18 victims were rushed to area hospitals with gunshot wounds. Others suffered injuries while attempting push down a garage door to escape the home.
During a Sunday press conference, Harris County sheriff Adrian Garcia said the incident began when someone fired at least one celebratory gunshot inside the house. In response, another shooter fired rounds into the crowd. While motives remain unclear, witnesses claim that several members of a well-known gang may have been at the party.
Garcia warned against inviting unknown guests via social media, a method used extensively by 18-year-old Mariah Boulden, for whom the party was thrown.
Two suspects were arrested Monday morning in connection with a weekend house party that left two dead.
Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees.
Photo by Chris Furia