Local firefighter shot at Huffman party


HUFFMAN — A birthday party was tragically interrupted by gunfire from a neighbor early Sunday, May 2.

A man was killed and two others injured by the gunshots. Raul Rodriguez, 44, complained to Precinct 3 Deputies late Saturday about noise at a gathering in the 300 block of Oak Knoll. The Constable Deputy indicates he informed the man who would later be killed of the complaint after determining that the partygoers were in compliance with state law.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, Rodriguez went to the party brandishing a handgun, and carrying a video camera. A beloved local man, a teacher was killed, critically injured was a Houston Fire Dept. Captain, and a third man was treated and released after being shot in the leg, according to Harris County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Ben Beall.

Rodriguez admitted shooting the men. He was charged with murder. He told deputies the shooting was in self-defense because the men at the party tackled him. Rodriguez sustained a fracture to his ankle by men at the party during the altercation, according to official statements.

“He had more than ample opportunity to retreat,” Detective Beall added.

Rodriguez is being held in the Harris County jail without bail.

Kelly Danaher, 36, who was hosting a birthday party for his wife and 3 year old daughter, was killed. Danaher was a P.E. teacher at Sorters Mill Elementary in Porter.

Senior HFD Capt. Ricky Johnson, 43, was in critical condition on Tuesday night at Ben Taub General Hospital. He was shot in the stomach area. Surgery is planned after he stabilizes. Johnson, promoted recently to Station 74 Captain, is a respected and dynastic firefighter, married with two daughters.

Marshall Stetson was also seriously injured by gunshots in the leg.

A neighbor reported being awakened by gunshots (not by party noise) and looking out his window to see men holding down one man and other people kneeling over another man’s body.

Although authorities say Rodriguez has no criminal history, “He got it in his head that they were making too much noise, and he decided to take it into his own hands,” Beall said. “The people at the party were minding their own business.