2nd teen accidentally shot dead in same home

Two teenagers in the same east Houston home have been killed by accidental gunfire in the last six months.

A 17-year-old boy was shot to death by his older cousin Saturday night during the latest shooting in the 9100 block of Shagbark Drive. Last November, the teen’s best friend, Kenneth Benjamin Jr., accidentally shot and killed himself while playing with a handgun at the same home, according to police.

The latest shooting was reported around 11:30 p.m., police said. The suspected shooter and his younger cousin lived at the home.

The man, in his 20s, was taken into custody after telling authorities he accidentally shot his younger cousin. Police said there is a pending charge of manslaughter, but did not identify the surviving cousin.

At the time of last year’s shooting, neighbors complained of frequent gunfire at the home, with one woman saying that “it’s been a bunch of teenagers hanging out” at the home ever since the homeowner’s death. According to housing records, the current homeowner is still listed as Benjamin Tyler, 66, who died in late October.

The same neighbors said on Sunday afternoon that nothing has changed.

“It’s just getting out of hand. Two kids in six months? Come on, now,” said Novella Perry, who slept through the shooting. “Terrible, isn’t it? All these young lives leaving.”

A woman who last year identified herself to the Chronicle as the grandmother to the 17-yearold boy said he and Kenneth were best friends.

In 2020, 13 children have been injured and five killed in Texas from unintentional shooting, according to Everytown, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control. Nationwide, there have been 34 deaths and 73 injuries.