The victim, later identified by family as Terribia Dembry, was killed near Grant Road just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
HOUSTON, Texas — Houston homicide detectives are searching for a black sedan witnesses said sped away after a man in his 50s was shot to death outside an apartment complex in the Willowbrook area Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The shooting was reported about 12:55 p.m. near the Abby at Grant Road apartments in the 9600 block of Grant Road, according to the Houston Police Department. Officers found the victim with at least one gunshot wound and pronounced him dead at the scene, police said. Investigators said no one was in custody early Wednesday.
Lt. Larry Crowson said witnesses told officers a black sedan fled immediately after the gunfire, and detectives were working to determine if it was directly connected. In an initial briefing at the scene, Crowson said a witness reported the victim was shot by an occupant of a black, smaller vehicle, a description that overlaps with the sedan report. Investigators said they were still trying to pin down whether the shots were fired from a moving vehicle or from someone who stepped out and then drove off.
The location and timing added urgency for investigators and neighbors. The apartment complex sits in a corridor of heavy daytime traffic near Texas 249, where drivers move between shopping areas, schools, and nearby neighborhoods. ABC13 reported the complex is less than a block from Cypress Creek High School, a detail that highlighted how close the shooting was to a busy daytime community hub. Police did not report any additional injuries, and they did not say whether nearby schools took any special steps after the gunfire.
By later Tuesday, relatives arrived and identified the victim as Terribia Dembry, 52. Family members said Dembry was known by the nickname Ribi and was a father and grandfather. They said they believed he was visiting a woman who lived at the complex when he was shot outside. Tesa Dembry, his sister, said relatives were told the attack happened quickly and without warning. “From what we know, somebody pulled up, five shots, and that was it,” she said.
Another sister, Trazara Barres, described the shock of losing a loved one in the middle of the day and in a place Dembry went to see someone he knew. “My heart aches,” Barres said, crying as she spoke near the scene. Relatives said Dembry leaves behind a large family that includes children and grandchildren, and they said they were focused on getting answers about who fired the shots and why he was killed.
Police have not released a suspect description, and they have not said how many people may have been inside the vehicle witnesses described. Crowson said investigators were still gathering the basic sequence of events, including where the victim was standing and how the shooter approached. Detectives also were trying to identify who might have seen the vehicle moments before the shots were fired and whether anyone captured video that could show the car’s path out of the area.
In cases like this, investigators often build a timeline using interviews, nearby surveillance systems, and video from traffic corridors. Police did not say what footage, if any, had been recovered by Wednesday morning, and they did not announce a motive. Officials also did not say whether the victim had any known connection to the person or people in the vehicle, leaving open basic questions about whether the shooting stemmed from a dispute, a mistaken identity, or another event investigators have not yet described publicly.
Relatives said the lack of answers has been painful, and they urged anyone who saw the shooting or noticed a black sedan speeding away to share details with investigators. Police said information can be reported directly to the Houston Police Department or through Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477. Investigators said tips may be especially useful if a witness noted a license plate, a distinctive feature on the car, or a direction of travel.
As of Wednesday, police said the killing remained under investigation, with detectives continuing to interview witnesses and review any available video. No charges had been announced, and officials said they had not identified a person of interest. Police said the next major update is expected when investigators confirm more about the vehicle and the events that led up to the shooting.
Author note: Last updated February 25, 2026.