Rapper Calls TSU Shooters 'Cowards'

The rapper who helped organize a community event at Texas Southern University said the shooters who injured six people there are "cowards."

The victims were shot on campus following a concert by rapper Trae Tha Truth, school officials said.

While none of the victims were seriously injured, their conditions were not known as of Thursday morning. The injured included one TSU student, who was shot in the leg, and possibly an elderly person.

"All the people out here with their kids -- they had babies in the show," said a witness. "I saw a mother running with her baby -- pushing her stroller."

"A man out here got shot on his porch. An innocent bystander on his porch."

The shooting happened around 8:45 p.m. on Cleburne and Tierwester in southeast Houston, near the campus's east parking garage.

At least a dozen gunshots were fired, possibly from multiple weapons in different locations.

"You don't jeopardize kids. You don't jeopardize families like that," said rapper Trae in an interview with FOX 26 News. "A lot of cats out here will say they are real, but you don't do that kind of stuff."

Trae also called the shooters "cowards." He also emphasized the shooting took place after the event ended and those involved were packing up.

TSU police asked the Houston Police Department to assist in the investigation, and school counselors were on campus overnight.
Police said shooting appeared to be gang related.

Various websites and blogs promoting the music event identified it as a "free family block party" celebrating "Trae Day." Press releases said US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Councilmen Peter Brown and Ron Green, as well as a "host of music celebrities" would be in attendance.

The event included train rides, pony rides, face painting, and AIDS testing. A previous similar event hosted by the rapper gathered about 10,000 people.

In a statement on his Twitter account, Councilman Peter Brown said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of tonight's tragedy at TSU."