Court officials say one suspect refused to appear as records show the other was already on bond in a separate aggravated robbery case.
HOUSTON, Texas — A 17-year-old charged with murder in the fatal shooting on a Houston METRO bus did not appear for his first scheduled court hearing Friday, as a judge heard that his 18-year-old co-defendant was out on bond in a previous robbery case when the gunfire erupted Wednesday afternoon in west Houston.
The case has drawn intense attention because the victim, 25-year-old Caitlin Stup, was riding home when a bullet struck her in the head, according to authorities. Investigators say a 16-year-old boy on the same bus was also wounded. Prosecutors have charged Brayden Smith, 17, with murder, and Patrick Scott, 18, with unlawful carry of a weapon. On Friday, court officials said Smith was being uncooperative and did not come to the courtroom as ordered. Scott appeared, and prosecutors told the judge he was already on bond in an unrelated aggravated robbery case at the time of the shooting.
Authorities said the shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on a Route 161 bus traveling along Richmond Avenue near Walnut Bend in the Westchase area. Investigators believe an argument on the bus escalated when a teenager pulled a gun and fired, striking Stup and the 16-year-old bystander. The driver stopped the bus and evacuated passengers as police and METRO units converged on the area. Officers later tracked suspects to an apartment complex nearby. “This was a young woman on her way across town when reckless violence took her life,” METRO Police Chief Ban Tien said Thursday. “We intend to work with HPD and prosecutors to hold those responsible.”
By Friday morning, both teens were in custody and charged, authorities said. In Scott’s appearance, prosecutors argued he should not have had a gun due to the bond conditions in his earlier robbery case. They indicated they will seek to revoke that bond and impose new restrictions if he is released in the bus case. Prosecutors also said Smith, described as uncooperative in lockup, missed his initial appearance and could face a higher bond. The district attorney’s office signaled it would request a $1 million bail for Smith and possible bond conditions that include GPS monitoring and a weapons ban. The 16-year-old boy who was wounded was treated at a hospital; his condition has not been publicly updated. Officials said investigators are still reviewing surveillance video from the bus and nearby businesses.
Records reviewed in court indicate Scott was previously charged in an aggravated robbery case last year and was free on bond with a condition that barred him from carrying a firearm. Investigators have not announced a final motive for the bus shooting. Earlier in the week, police released surveillance images of two teenagers wanted in the case before announcing the arrests. The bus involved, numbered 2611, was operating its regular route when gunfire broke out. Residents at a nearby complex reported officers using K-9 units and a helicopter during the search as detectives canvassed for witnesses and shell casings. HPD homicide detectives interviewed passengers and the driver late into the night, according to officials.
The next steps include additional probable cause hearings and decisions on bail for both suspects. Prosecutors said they will ask a judge to revoke Scott’s bond in the robbery case and to set strict terms in the weapons charge tied to the bus incident. For Smith, a separate detention review could be scheduled if his uncooperative status continues. Authorities said more charges are possible depending on ballistics and video analysis. METRO leaders said they are reviewing security procedures and the placement of uniformed officers on high-traffic routes. A public update could come early next week once investigators complete interviews with all bus riders who remained on scene.
Outside the courthouse, riders who use the Westchase routes daily described a mix of grief and anger. “We’re heartbroken for Caitlin’s family,” said Andrea Lopez, who commutes along Richmond Avenue. “Most of us just want to get home safely.” At a small memorial near the bus stop, a handful of candles flickered beside a handwritten note with Stup’s name. A maintenance worker who arrived Friday morning said crews had been instructed to preserve any potential evidence near the shelter. A nearby shop owner said officers asked for security video showing the bus as it passed the storefront just before 2:30 p.m.
As of Friday evening, both teens remained in custody as prosecutors prepared bond motions and investigators processed digital evidence. Officials said the next court setting could be announced as early as Monday, depending on the judge’s docket and the completion of video reviews. The homicide investigation is ongoing.
Author note: Last updated January 9, 2026.