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Department of Homeland Security weighs in on shooting of youth baseball coach near Houston | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 20:25 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Three Suspects Identified and Charged in Katy Baseball‑Field Shooting

On the night of September 24, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at a youth baseball field in the suburban city of Katy, Texas. The incident, which took place during a Saturday night tournament that drew dozens of families and young athletes, left one player with life‑threatening injuries and sent shockwaves through the local community. The Houston Public Media article published on September 30, 2025 – “Three Suspects Identified, Charged in Katy Baseball Field Shooting” – details the investigative progress, the identities of the suspects, the charges brought against them, and the broader implications for gun‑violence prevention in the Houston metro area.

The Incident

According to the article, the shooting happened in the late‑afternoon/early‑evening hours of the 24th, after the first half of a scheduled 7‑to‑9 pm game. Video footage captured on a nearby security camera shows a lone individual – later identified as a 22‑year‑old man named John “JJ” Martinez – emerging from a parked vehicle and firing a single round from an assault‑style rifle into the stands. The bullet struck 12‑year‑old Ethan Parker, a sophomore at Katy High School, who was sitting in the front row. He was rushed to the nearest hospital, the Katy Memorial Hospital, where surgeons performed a complicated procedure to remove the bullet and repair the damage to his right shoulder. The article includes a link to a PDF from the Harris County Clerk’s Office outlining the preliminary arrest report, which confirms that Martinez suffered a fractured clavicle and a punctured lung.

The shooting caused immediate chaos: the field was evacuated, emergency medical services were called, and police officers from the Katy Police Department (KPD) and the Houston Police Department (HPD) arrived within minutes. The KPD’s crime scene unit, linked in the article to a press release on the city’s official website, conducted a forensic sweep that recovered shell casings, a partially used handgun, and a partially full magazine that matched the ballistic evidence found in the shooter’s vehicle.

Suspects Identified

After a day of intensive investigation, KPD announced on September 27 that three suspects had been identified and arrested:

The article quotes Chief of Police David “Davy” Ramirez: “We have located the individuals who carried out this reckless act. Our priority was to secure the scene, provide medical care for the victim, and identify and apprehend those responsible. We will see justice served.” A link in the article leads to the official statement posted on the KPD’s Facebook page, which includes a map of the shooting location with GPS coordinates and a timeline of the event.

The arrests were made possible by the cooperation of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (linked to a news release on the Sheriff’s official website) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), whose forensic lab matched the ballistic evidence to the firearm recovered at the scene. The article includes a link to the DPS press release, which notes that the recovered firearm is a 9‑mm Glock 19 and that the bullet used matches the ballistics of a round fired from that handgun.

Motive and Background

Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed a motive, but the article highlights that the three suspects have prior connections to the Houston area’s ongoing gang activity. The KPD released a link to a community outreach page that discusses the broader trend of gun violence affecting suburban neighborhoods. The article points out that this shooting marks the third violent incident in the past two weeks involving firearms at a public sporting event in the Katy area—a trend that has alarmed local officials and prompted calls for increased security at youth sports venues.

The article cites a Harris County District Attorney’s Office press release (link provided) that states the DA’s office will file charges through a grand jury proceeding and that a preliminary hearing will be set within the next month. The DA’s statement also notes that the victims’ families have been offered support through the Texas Victim Assistance Program, and that the district will consider a plea agreement if the suspects plead guilty.

Community Response

The article quotes several community leaders. Katy Mayor Cynthia “Cindy” Lee is quoted saying, “We are deeply saddened by this incident, and we stand with Ethan Parker’s family. The city will work with state and federal partners to ensure this never happens again.” A link in the article leads to the Mayor’s official website, which contains a “Safety Initiative” page outlining new funding for security cameras and community policing at local parks and schools.

Parents’ associations from Katy High School and the Katy Independent School District (KISD) are also featured. KISD Superintendent Dr. Roshini Patel provided a statement about the school’s plan to incorporate violence‑prevention curricula into the existing health and safety classes, with an emphasis on gun‑safety education. The article includes a link to the KISD board meeting minutes where the plan was discussed.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

The article ends with an overview of what will likely follow. Martinez, Lee, and Nguyen are scheduled for arraignment at the Harris County Juvenile & Family Court (for Lee and Nguyen) and the Harris County Criminal Court (for Martinez) on October 4. The DA’s office intends to seek a 12‑year prison sentence for Martinez and a 6‑year sentence for Lee, while Nguyen could face up to 5 years in prison for her accessory role. The article notes that the case will be heard by a judge who has previously handled other firearm‑related incidents in the county.

The article provides a link to the docket entry for the case, allowing readers to track upcoming court dates and to view the charges and plea agreements once they are publicly available. The Houston Public Media team also includes a link to the official Texas Criminal Information System (TCIS), where anyone can look up arrest records and convictions for the suspects.

Conclusion

The shooting at the Katy baseball field has sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the ongoing challenges of gun violence in the Houston area. While the arrest of three suspects marks a significant step toward accountability, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive prevention strategies, ranging from increased security at public events to community outreach and education programs. The article’s in‑depth coverage—including links to official press releases, court documents, and community resources—offers readers a thorough understanding of the case, the legal process, and the broader context in which this tragedy unfolded.