A man accused of murdering three people in southwest Houston in less than an hour has been caught.
Joshua Kelsey, 35, was taken into custody around 4 a.m. after a short chase in a Kia stolen from one of the crime scenes.
Kelsey was arrested on the Southwest Freeway at Brazos River in Sugar Land.
He is now being questioned by homicide detectives.
The crime spree started around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 14200 block of Bridgeport and Danfield, where two men had been shot.
Officials told reporters they believe Kelsey got into an argument over drugs with one of the men, then shot both of them.
Both men were taken to the hospital, where one died. The other was taken into surgery.
After the shooting, police say Kelsey stole a car from the Bridgeport scene and drove to the 5300 block of Kelling.
Around 8:36 p.m., authorities were called to the Kelling scene, where they say Kelsey forced his way into a home and shot a 60-year-old man.
The man was transported to the hospital, where he died.
Around 9 p.m., Kelsey arrived at another home in the 13500 block of Hooper near Almeda Genoa. Police say he knocked on the door, walked in and shot another man in his 40s.
That man also died at the hospital.
Police believe all the shootings are drug-related. They say COVID-19 has changed the supply chain for drugs in the Houston area.
“Risky behavior. People need to understand it’s the wrong time to sell drugs. It’s the wrong time to do anything. We’re still fighting COVID,” said HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner. “There is a shortage of drugs on these streets. There’s an increase of homicides in our city. I said it once and I’ll say it again, it’s the wrong time. Anytime is the wrong time to sell drugs, definitely now.”
Kelsey’s arrest record dates back to 2007.
Authorities plan to provide further updates as they are available.
