LePaul Warren, a 17-year-old senior and student-athlete at Westbury High School, was fatally shot near the southwest Houston campus on Friday morning, September 25, 2026.
Houston police said officers responded to a shooting reported at approximately 8:21 a.m. near Dryad Street and Chimney Rock Road, just outside Westbury High School. Warren was found suffering from gunshot wounds and later died.
His family subsequently identified him as the victim.
What Happened to LePaul Warren?
According to Houston police, the shooting happened just outside the school grounds near an apartment complex across from Westbury’s athletic fields.
Investigators said a group of people had gathered in the area when an individual emerged from a nearby wooded section. An interaction followed, with words reportedly exchanged before a handgun was produced and shots were fired.
Police continued gathering surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as they worked to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting. Additional Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were also brought in to assist with the investigation.
The school itself was not the scene of the shooting. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said students, teachers and staff inside the campus were safe and that there was no active threat inside the school.
17-Year-Old Suspect Taken Into Custody
The investigation developed rapidly Friday evening.
Houston police later announced that a 17-year-old suspect had been taken into custody in connection with the shooting that killed Warren. Earlier reports had described the shooter as being at large, but that information was superseded after the arrest.
Details concerning the suspect’s identity, possible charges and the precise circumstances leading to the shooting were not fully established in the initial reporting.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation and juvenile proceedings develop.
LePaul Warren Remembered as Westbury Student-Athlete
Warren was a senior at Westbury High School and was known in the school community as an athlete.
He played varsity football and varsity basketball. Sports records identify him as a wide receiver and defensive back in football and a guard in basketball. His basketball statistics show that he was an important contributor to the Westbury team during the 2025-26 season.
Local reporting also described Warren as a respected young person whose death left classmates and teammates struggling to process what had happened.
His godfather, Nate Santee, described Warren in positive terms while speaking about him after the shooting.
Westbury High School Homecoming Canceled
The shooting occurred on the same day Westbury High School was preparing for its homecoming activities.
The school’s scheduled homecoming football game was canceled, as was the homecoming dance planned for Friday evening. School administrators said they were working on plans to reschedule the football game.
Houston ISD also made counseling resources available to students and staff following the death.
The campus was placed in secure mode after the shooting, with authorities controlling movement in and out of the school while the investigation was underway. Parents were later allowed to pick up students through a controlled release process.
Investigation Into the Houston Shooting
Houston police homicide investigators remained involved in the case as authorities worked to reconstruct what happened before the gunfire.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage from a nearby apartment complex and canvassed the surrounding neighborhood for additional video, witnesses and other evidence.
Police also said license plate reader information in the area could assist investigators in developing leads. Approximately 25 additional Texas DPS troopers were brought in to help search nearby apartment buildings and wooded areas.
The motive for the shooting had not been fully established in the latest reporting reviewed.
Authorities also have not publicly connected Warren’s killing to another recent Houston-area school shooting involving a different student. Investigators specifically cautioned against drawing such a connection.
LePaul Warren Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | LePaul Warren |
| Age | 17 |
| School | Westbury High School |
| Grade | Senior |
| Location | Southwest Houston, Texas |
| Date of shooting | September 25, 2026 |
| Approximate time | 8:21 a.m. |
| Location of shooting | Near Dryad Street and Chimney Rock Road |
| Cause of death | Fatal gunshot wounds |
| Football | Varsity |
| Basketball | Varsity |
| Football position | Wide receiver / defensive back |
| Basketball position | Guard |
| Suspect | 17-year-old taken into custody |
| Investigating agency | Houston Police Department |
| Homecoming game | Canceled |
| Funeral arrangements | Not publicly confirmed |
Family and Community Mourn Warren
Warren’s death brought relatives, friends, classmates and members of the Westbury community together as the investigation continued.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said he spoke with Warren’s grandmother, mother and aunt following the shooting and described the family as devastated.
For students who knew Warren through school and sports, the shooting abruptly changed what had been expected to be a major homecoming week.
Instead of preparing for a football game and celebrating with classmates, the Westbury community was left mourning a student whose life ended at 17.
Funeral and Memorial Information
No verified funeral or memorial-service arrangements for LePaul Warren were included in the latest reports reviewed.
Such information may be announced by his family or a funeral home at a later date.
Until an official announcement is made, details about visitation, funeral services and burial should not be treated as confirmed.
Latest Update on LePaul Warren’s Death
LePaul Warren, 17, was fatally shot near Westbury High School in southwest Houston on September 25, 2026.
Police initially searched for the person responsible while investigating surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses. Later Friday evening, Houston police announced that a 17-year-old suspect had been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Warren’s death also led to the cancellation of Westbury High School’s homecoming football game and dance, while counseling support was made available to students and staff.
The investigation remains active, and additional information about the circumstances of the shooting, potential charges and the case against the juvenile suspect may be released by authorities.
Disclaimer: This article is based on current reporting from Houston-area news organizations and information attributed to the Houston Police Department and Houston ISD. Details surrounding the shooting remain subject to the ongoing investigation. The suspect’s arrest does not by itself establish guilt, and additional legal proceedings and investigative findings may provide further information.