On March 10, 2024, 34-year-old Ruthie McNeese was struck in the head by a stray bullet and killed outside the Vegas Hookah Bar and Grill in southwest Houston. The shooting happened about 1:20 a.m. after a dispute inside the venue spilled into the parking lot and multiple gunshots were fired. McNeese was an innocent bystander preparing to leave when she was hit; another person suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and survived after treatment.

Houston police investigated the incident, and on March 20, 2024 authorities arrested 27-year-old Shanil Pradia and charged him with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Court records allege Pradia fired nearly 20 rounds from two different firearms during the altercation. McNeese leaves a 15-year-old son, Brandon; her family held a balloon release and started a GoFundMe campaign in her memory. The community has called for stepped-up security at similar establishments.

Did anyone who was at the Vegas Hookah Bar and Grill that night see what happened or have additional information for investigators?