Police said witnesses reported a black sedan fled after shots were fired near Grant Road.
HOUSTON, Texas — A 52-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon outside an apartment complex in northwest Houston, and relatives who came to the scene later identified him as Terribia Dembry, a father and grandfather they described as deeply loved.
Houston police said the shooting happened about 12:55 p.m. near the Abby at Grant Road apartments in the 9600 block of Grant Road. Investigators said witnesses reported a black sedan or small black vehicle sped away immediately after the gunfire. No one has been arrested, and detectives have not released a suspect description.
Relatives said they learned about the killing through frantic calls and rushed to the apartment complex, gathering near the taped-off area as officers worked the scene. Tesa Dembry, one of the victim’s sisters, said the family’s understanding is that someone pulled up and fired several rounds in a burst. “From what we know, somebody pulled up, five shots, and that was it,” she said. Another sister, Trazara Barres, fought through tears as she described the moment the family realized Dembry was gone. “My heart aches,” Barres said.
Police said Dembry was found with at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Lt. Larry Crowson, a Houston Police Department spokesman at the location, said investigators were trying to sort out what led up to the shooting and whether the gunfire came from a moving vehicle. In an initial account, Crowson said a witness reported the victim was shot by an occupant of a black, smaller vehicle. Investigators said it was still unclear if the killing was a drive-by shooting, and they did not say whether Dembry was targeted or caught in a dispute that spilled into the parking area.
Family members said they believed Dembry, known to relatives by the nickname Ribi, had gone to the complex to visit a woman who lived there. They described him as a steady presence in a large family, a man who kept close ties with siblings and who was proud of his children and grandchildren. Relatives at the scene said they were struggling to understand why he was killed in broad daylight and why the person responsible has not been identified.
The area around Grant Road is lined with apartment communities, shopping centers, and busy intersections that draw midday traffic. ABC13 reported the apartment complex is less than a block from Cypress Creek High School, a detail that underscored the timing and location of the gunfire. By early evening, investigators were still working to identify who was inside the vehicle witnesses described and how many people may have been involved. Police have not said how many shots were fired, and relatives said they were waiting for investigators to confirm what witnesses saw and heard.
Detectives have not released information about a possible motive, and police did not say whether there was an earlier argument, a robbery attempt, or another confrontation. Crowson said homicide investigators were conducting the case, and police were interviewing people who were in the area at the time. Officers also sought video that could show the vehicle witnesses described, including possible surveillance footage from nearby buildings and cameras along major roads.
For Dembry’s relatives, the early stage of the investigation has been marked by a mix of grief and urgency. Several family members stood close together as they spoke to reporters, at times pausing to collect themselves. They said they want answers about who fired the shots and why a loved one who came to visit someone at the complex did not make it home. They also said they hope people who saw the shooting, or who noticed a black sedan speeding away, will share what they know with investigators.
Police said anyone with information can contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477. Investigators said tips can help them identify a suspect or locate a vehicle that may have been involved, especially if a witness captured a license plate number or noticed distinctive damage or markings. Police have not said whether the vehicle was later found or whether it matched a specific make and model.
As the sun set Tuesday, the apartment complex returned to a quieter rhythm, but relatives said the loss would not fade when the flashing lights left. They described Dembry as a man who showed up for birthdays and family gatherings, who checked in on relatives, and who made time for grandchildren. They said his death has left a hole in their family that words cannot fill, and they pleaded for the person responsible to be held accountable.
Houston police said the investigation remained active Wednesday, with no suspect in custody and key details still being verified, including how the shooter approached and where the victim was standing when he was hit. Detectives said they expect to continue interviews and video review in the days ahead as they try to identify the driver and any passenger connected to the black sedan.
Author note: Last updated February 25, 2026.