A late-night birthday celebration in Texas turned into chaos when gunfire erupted outside a local lounge, leaving at least seven people injured.
The terrifying scene unfolded around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, when the Dickinson Police Department responded to what was initially reported as a medical emergency on Avenue F, just outside JT’s Lounge.
But as officers rushed to the scene, the situation quickly escalated.
Police say they began receiving reports of shots fired while en route. When first responders arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds — and could still hear gunfire ringing out nearby.
Authorities from the Dickinson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Galveston County Crime Scene Unit quickly secured the area and launched an investigation.
In total, seven people were identified as victims. Officials say all of them are either in stable condition or have already been released from the hospital.
Days after the shooting, police arrested 58-year-old Patrick Frederick in connection with the violence.
He now faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bond set at $750,000. He’s also been charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm by a convicted felon, with an additional $250,000 bond.
Investigators say the shooting appears to have stemmed from an altercation during the final moments of an adult birthday party inside the lounge.
According to witnesses, the argument started inside JT’s Lounge before spilling out into the street as the event was winding down. That’s when multiple shots were fired, sending partygoers scrambling.
“Investigators are trying to piece together exactly what happened,” Dickinson Police Sgt. Kevin Chance said.
Officials have not yet revealed what sparked the initial dispute. However, detectives noted that most of the ballistic evidence was found about a block away from the lounge, suggesting the violence may have continued as people fled the scene.
