1 killed, 1 injured after teen brawl ends in shootout outside of Fort Worth Whataburger: PD

Police say a 16-year-old boy is dead and a 17-year-old girl critically injured after a brawl between a group of high school students ended in a shootout near Fort Worth Whataburger on Friday afternoon.

The shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. outside a Whataburger restaurant on the 2400 block of West Berry Street, near RL Paschal ISD High School in Fort Worth, according to police.

Speaking to reporters on Friday night, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes called the incident “meaningless” and asked the public to help find the culprit.

“This is another example of senseless, tragic violence that should never have happened,” Noakes said. “Unfortunately, it involved very young people right here in the city of Fort Worth.”

“We will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice,” Noakes said.

Noakes said it started as a verbal altercation between a group of high school students who knew each other. At some point, the argument escalated into a physical altercation before someone opened fire, injuring two teenagers.

“I’m angry,” Noakes said. “There is no reason for any young person, a high school student, to lose his life at such a young age. There is no reason for a high school student to carry a gun.” and shot another student.”

The teenagers, who were described by police as a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl, were hospitalized in critical condition. The boy later died from his wounds; the girl was stable and recovering as of Friday evening from the police.

Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes has released new information about a Friday afternoon shooting involving a group of high school students near Whataburger in Fort Worth. As a result of the shooting, one 16-year-old boy was killed, and a 17-year-old girl was seriously injured.

Noakes said police are working to determine which school the teens went to.

Nearby Paschal High School, which closed classes the day before the shooting, was closed to all staff and students participating in extracurricular activities, a district spokeswoman said. The school’s Friday night varsity basketball game was rescheduled to Saturday due to limited campus access.

“Fort Worth ISD continues to cooperate with the Fort Worth Police Department in this ongoing investigation. On Monday, Fort Worth ISD will have support staff for Easter students and staff on campus.” Fort Worth ISD statement read.

Noakes addressed a message to all young people:

“The lack of importance given to human life, the sanctity of human life, overwhelms me,” Noakes said. you may have problems. Whatever the conflict, a gun is not an option.”

“It’s just something parents have to let kids know what’s going on,” said a parent with a child near the scene. “It’s something sad that shouldn’t happen.”

Noakes said there is only one answer to what the person who pulled the trigger needs to do next. “I tell the shooter to surrender,” Noakes said. “You made a serious mistake. Give up and don’t make things worse.”

Police were unable to provide a description of the shooter immediately. Noakes asked anyone with video footage of the shooting or information that could help with the investigation to call detectives at 817-392-4330.