March 21, 2024 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a woman and the wounding of a man at 11235 Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) service road about 1:20 a.m. on March 10.

The suspect, Shanil Pradia, 27, is charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in the 338th State District Court.  A booking photo of Pradia is attached to this news release.

The deceased victim is identified as Ruthie McNeese, 35.  The male victim, 29, was taken to an area hospital in stable condition.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Cass and Detective J. Brown reported:

Officers were dispatched to a shooting call at a bar at the above address and found Ms. McNeese unresponsive in the parking lot.  She had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  A male was located and determined to have suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to an area hospital.

Witnesses stated a fight broke out inside the bar and continued into the parking lot.  At that time, gunshots were heard and several individuals ran from the area.  

Further investigation identified Pradia as the suspect in this case.  On Wednesday (March 20), officers with the HPD South Gessner Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team arrested Pradia without incident.  He was later booked into the Harris County Jail on three felony charges.  

Detectives are not seeking any other suspects at this time.  



Shanil Pradia



Update JFC/SOA     3-21-24
JFC/JKS  3-11-24
Inc #035319324