Investigators said a masked gunman shot 17-year-old Jayden Ford near an apartment complex off Uvalde Road.
CLOVERLEAF, TX — A 17-year-old was shot and killed in the Cloverleaf area of east Harris County during what investigators described as an attempted robbery, after a masked gunman approached a group of teens and opened fire Thursday evening.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the teenager, identified as Jayden Ford, was visiting friends when the shooting happened near an apartment complex along Uvalde Road near Woodforest Boulevard. Deputies have not announced any arrests, and investigators are working to identify the shooter and any others who fled. The killing added to renewed concern among families and neighbors about youth violence in the Houston area as officials again asked witnesses to come forward.
Deputies were called just before 5 p.m. Thu., Feb. 5, to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex in the Cloverleaf area, a community east of Houston. Investigators said Ford was with a group of teenagers when at least one suspect, described as wearing a mask and a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a pistol, moved in and tried to rob someone in the group. During the encounter, the gunman fired, striking Ford, investigators said. “It’s hard to process that somebody can just do that to a child,” a neighbor who asked not to be identified said in an interview outside the complex. “It needs to stop.”
Witnesses told deputies they saw the shooter and several teens running from the scene after the shots were fired, investigators said. A dark-colored car was seen leaving the area shortly afterward, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities have not said what, if anything, was taken in the attempted robbery, and they have not released a description beyond the mask and hoodie. Investigators also have not said how many shots were fired or whether Ford was the intended robbery target. The sheriff’s office said detectives were canvassing for surveillance video, interviewing people who were nearby, and trying to track the vehicle seen leaving.
Family and friends described Ford as a teenager with plans that stretched beyond the apartment complex where he was spending time with friends. Relatives said he was known for being upbeat and funny, the kind of person who could make others laugh without trying. His mother, Tayosha Davis, said her son’s smile could “light up a room,” and his grandmother, Lakisha Brown, said the family felt “broken” by the loss. Reports aired by local stations described Ford as a recent North Shore graduate who had talked about attending San Jacinto College. Those who knew him said the days after the shooting have been filled with calls, visits, and grief shared in living rooms and parking lots across the east side.
Investigators have not detailed what led up to the attempted robbery or whether the suspect knew anyone in the group. Authorities also have not said if more than one person took part in the robbery attempt, though witnesses described multiple teens running after the gunfire. The lack of an arrest has left neighbors uneasy, with some parents saying they are worried about how quickly routine hangouts can turn violent. The Gun Violence Archive, a group that tracks shootings through public reports, has already counted multiple teen deaths in the Houston area this year, a statistic local residents cited as they questioned how often young people are ending up at the center of homicide investigations.
The sheriff’s office said the case remains an active homicide investigation. Detectives are expected to continue interviewing witnesses and checking cameras from nearby buildings and streets, a common step in cases where suspects flee quickly and descriptions are limited. Officials urged anyone with information to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers. Investigators have not announced any charges, and they did not say when they expect to release more details about possible suspects. In Texas, attempted robbery cases that turn deadly can lead to murder charges and, depending on the evidence, additional counts tied to weapons and participation by others.
Outside the apartment complex, residents described a familiar rhythm of sirens and patrol cars that still feels jarring when the victim is a teenager. Some neighbors said they saw groups of young people regularly gathering in the area and worried that disputes, robberies, or impulsive decisions could escalate. Others said the shooting felt different because it struck during daylight hours and because a masked gunman appeared to move in with a purpose. “I do feel sorry for the family that did lose their child,” the neighbor said. “I hope they’re OK.” The family’s grief, relatives said, has turned into a steady push for answers as detectives piece together who pulled the trigger and why.
As of Monday, Feb. 9, investigators had not announced an arrest or named a suspect, and the sheriff’s office said tips from the public could be critical to identifying the masked shooter and the dark-colored vehicle seen leaving the area.
Author note: Last updated February 9, 2026.