Waller County judge targets pasture parties after shooting

After seven people were wounded in a shooting Sunday night during a large homecoming party near Prairie View A&M University, the county’s top elected official vowed to impose more restrictions on similar gatherings in the future.

The shooting happened around 10 p.m. in a pasture in the 35000 block of Cameron Road, just east of the college campus, according to the Waller County Sheriff ’s Office.

Four women, two men and one boy were shot while attending the party, according to the sheriff ’s office. The shooting happened after a group of people got into a verbal argument. There were more than 1,000 people at the party, officials said.

None of the victims’ wounds were life-threatening, but multiple people were flown to local hospitals by helicopter.

No arrests have been announced. In its initial statement, the sheriff’s office said the Waller County Pct. 3 constables and a private security company were supposed to be providing security at the event, but that “none of the security protocols that were established by the permitting body and agreed to by the promoter were found to be followed.”

In his own statement, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said he signed off on a mass gathering permit for the event on Oct. 26. The event wasn’t officially affiliated with the university, Duhon said.

Complaints about pasture parties began to increase three years ago, he said. The organizers for Sunday’s event were told to have 35 people working security to search attendees for weapons and to have a safety plan and insurance, among other requirements, Duhon said.

“Obviously the organizers failed to meet permit conditions on a number of issues,” Duhon said. “An investigation is ongoing at this time, not only into the shooting itself, but the circumstances surrounding the event, the parking situation on public roads, the trash and litter, and the permit requirements that were not met.”

The pasture parties weren’t operating in ways that were “respectful” to the community, Duhon said.

“I will be looking into what can be done looking forward to ensure that this never happens again,” he added.