Merterian Simone Joseph, a 28-year-old African American woman, was fatally shot inside a parked vehicle on September 10, 2022, in Houston’s Fifth Ward. The shooting occurred at about 8 p.m. at 2400 Staples Street. Witnesses saw an unknown black male flee the scene shortly after the shooting.

Houston Police released surveillance video showing the suspect and the vehicle. The man is described as a black male of average height and build, wearing a white shirt and white pants. He was seen getting into a silver or gray 2011–2013 Honda Civic, possibly an SI model. The HPD Homicide Division—Detectives A. Graf II, S. Chettry, and A. Ledford—are investigating, and no arrests have been announced.

A Celebration of Life service for Joseph was held at Northside Missionary Baptist Church. If anyone has information about the suspect, the vehicle, or the shooting, contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers anonymously.