Texas Flea Market Shooting During Family-Friendly Dance Leaves Seven Injured, One Arrested

Seven people were injured after gunfire broke out at a family-friendly dance in Texas. A man was detained after the shooting inside a flea market in the 8700 block of Airline Drive in Houston, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.

Hundreds of people, including children, were crowded into the Mercardo Sabadomingo market when the shooting occurred, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said during a news conference on Sunday night.

Gonzalez said a man was shot in the leg and investigators believe the bullet went through his leg and struck the ground before ricocheting and hitting others.

The man and six other people were transported to hospital. Gonzalez said no one appears to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

Gonzalez said the suspect, who has not been identified, had been drinking and claimed the gun was in his pocket when it went off accidentally. But Gonzalez said his version of the story doesn't appear to match the evidence at the scene and he urged witnesses to come forward with information.

"We're getting a bit of a mixed story right now. He says apparently he had the gun in his pocket, but right now that doesn't seem a match with the evidence we have," Gonzalez said.

"We don't know who he have been aiming to, there appears to be no connection to the initial male that was more seriously wounded. We don't know if he was just fumbling around with the pistol being irresponsible about it or if he was actually intending to shoot somebody. With all the mayhem that happened and with it being packed, no one really saw a physical altercation break out."

He said signs were posted at the event stating that weapons were not allowed and there was a "strong" police presence, including 10 police officers and 15 uniformed security guards, at the dance when the shooting occurred. "It was very well protected," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez added that the investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to the community.

The man in custody will face charges, Gonzalez added, but it is not yet clear what they will be.

"He had been drinking alcohol," Gonzalez said. "Guns and alcohol are not a good mix especially when you're not supposed to have a gun in the first place inside this establishment. We'll get to the bottom of it."

He added: "It's just very, very lucky that no one was seriously injured or wounded. This could have been very hectic. It's a miracle nobody else was seriously hurt especially with children [there]."