A gender reveal party in Fort Worth turned violent Saturday night when a 22-year-old man opened fire during an argument, injuring five people — including one who required immediate surgery.
The shooting occurred around 10:45 p.m. on April 11 at a residence in the 5200 block of Shackleford Street in southeast Fort Worth, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
Officers responding to the scene learned that Jose Manuel Garcia had been visibly armed throughout the event. When a verbal argument broke out, Garcia and another individual both drew their weapons and fired. Garcia discharged his weapon toward the yard, where guests had gathered for the celebration. It was not immediately clear who fired first, police said.
Five people in their 20s were struck by gunfire. One victim was shot in the head and required emergency surgery. Others sustained wounds to the foot and leg, and a fourth person was grazed. All five are expected to survive. No children were injured.
A pregnant woman at the party told police she had been standing near a wooden fence close to one of the victims when the shooting began. She said she felt wood shards hit her as bullets passed through the fence.
After being wounded himself, Garcia fled the scene in a vehicle. Officers located him at a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery. He has since been taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Fort Worth Police spokesperson Daniel Segura said witnesses and family members at the party acted quickly. “The family and witnesses around this incident, they did the right thing by calling us right away,” Segura said. “They even attempted to stop the argument.”
The investigation remains ongoing.