On November 8, 2016, Adrian Castillo, a 19-year-old student, was shot and killed outside of the Houston CAN Academy in southwest Houston. The shooting occurred around 12:35 p.m. while Castillo was sitting in a vehicle in the school's parking lot. According to witnesses, a gray SUV blocked in Castillo's vehicle, and several suspects exited the SUV, engaging in a verbal altercation before opening fire.
Castillo was fatally wounded, while another passenger, also shot, managed to drive to an urgent care facility nearby. Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other passenger was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital in stable condition.
The incident left the school community in shock. Castillo had recently joined the Houston CAN Academy Southwest but had already formed strong connections with both teachers and students. School staff described him as a dedicated and positive student focused on completing his graduation goals. The suspects in this drive-by shooting fled the scene, and no arrests have been made as of the latest updates. The Houston Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in solving the case. The school offered counseling support for students, staff, and families affected by this tragedy as they mourned the loss of Castillo.
