July 9, 2018 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the shooting of a man and a woman at 11510 Homestead about 11 p.m. last Friday (July 6).  

The suspects, Nicolas Villarreal (H/m, 22) and Nihad Nassim El-Meaary (w/m, 19), are charged with two counts each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 174th State District Court.  They are accused of shooting Emerald Johnson, 33, and Jeremy Garder, 29, who were subsequently transported to an area hospital for treatment.  At this time, their conditions are not known.   

Booking photos of both suspects are attached to this news release.  

HPD Major Assaults/Family Violence Division Officers J. Halsey and B. Salazar reported:  

HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the Blue Steel Lounge at the above address and found Ms. Johnson and Mr. Gardner had been shot in a drive-by shooting following a disturbance.  Witnesses reported Johnson and Gardner were shot by a suspect, armed with an AR-15 rifle, in the passenger seat of a white BMW convertible, driven by another suspect.  A description of the vehicle was then broadcast over the police radio. 

HPD officers from the Northeast Patrol Division Tactical Unit located the suspect vehicle about six miles from the shooting scene and conducted a traffic stop.  Villarreal and El-Meaary were detained without incident and officers recovered an AR-15 rifle, determined to be stolen, that matched the witness description.  Villarreal and El-Meaary admitted to their involvement in the shooting and were subsequently charged.