A shooting incident inside a Kroger grocery store in Cypress, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon left two men critically injured, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement and causing panic among shoppers. Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office deputies responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 2:50 p.m. at the store located on Cypresswood Drive near Fairfield Meadows Drive, northwest of Houston.
"There was this male in yellow about 50 yards ahead of me and he goes in this door and I’m about at the doors where I hear a loud boom and a couple seconds go by and I hear almost a couple more booms." — Chace Zawacki, Witness
Upon arrival, deputies discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities quickly established that the incident appeared to be isolated, stemming from a domestic violence disturbance between the two individuals involved, and that there was no continuing danger to the public. One of the injured men was found inside the store with multiple gunshot wounds, while the other walked out with injuries before being taken to a hospital. Both individuals were transported for medical treatment and were listed in critical condition. Due to the severity of his injuries, one of the men was airlifted by Life Flight.
Constable Mark Herman confirmed that the victim was in serious condition and was transported by Life Flight. The suspected shooter reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was taken to a nearby hospital. Investigators have not yet released details on how the suspect sustained his injury. The identities of both individuals involved have not been released as the investigation continues.
The sound of gunfire sent shoppers into a state of panic, leading to a chaotic evacuation as customers rushed to escape the store. Witness Patrick Young, who was shopping near the frozen food section, recounted hearing a scream followed by multiple gunshots. Young initially thought the noise might involve children but quickly realized adults were involved and ran toward the front of the store to escape the gunfire. He described seeing both children and elderly shoppers among those scrambling to safety.
Another witness, Chace Zawacki, had just entered the store when the shooting began. "There was this male in yellow about 50 yards ahead of me and he goes in this door and I’m about at the doors where I hear a loud boom and a couple seconds go by and I hear almost a couple more booms," Zawacki told reporters, illustrating the suddenness of the event. Other witnesses also described a scene of disarray as customers fled into the parking lot seeking safety.
Harris County Precinct 4 Capt. Juan Flores stated that investigators believe only the two men involved were connected to the shooting. Preliminary information suggests the incident arose from a domestic disturbance, and detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage from inside the store and gathering additional evidence to piece together the full circumstances.
Kroger issued a statement expressing its deep sadness over the incident and confirmed its full cooperation with local law enforcement during the ongoing investigation. The company announced that the store would remain closed while authorities worked the scene. Additionally, counseling services have been made available for employees affected by the shooting. Officials confirmed that no bystanders were injured during the incident. Potential charges will be determined once investigators complete their comprehensive review of the evidence and gather more information regarding the domestic disturbance that led to the shooting.
