Pasadena Restaurant Shooting: Suspect in Fatal Attack Arrested
A tragic shooting inside Bubba’s 33 restaurant near Beltway 8 and Spencer Highway has left one person dead and another injured, prompting a multi-county search that ended late Saturday night with the arrest of 48-year-old Kenneth Leon Scott Jr. in Fayette County.
The violent incident unfolded just after 8:15 p.m. on Friday, July 11, when Pasadena Police began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots inside the busy restaurant. Chaos erupted as customers scrambled for safety. According to one eyewitness, a couple on a date night hid behind the kitchen freezer with restaurant staff, waiting in fear until officers arrived. “It felt like forever even though it was only eight minutes,” the witness recalled.
Authorities quickly identified Scott Jr. as the prime suspect early Saturday. Surveillance footage and witness statements helped police track a silver Toyota SUV, seen leaving the area via southbound I-10 shortly after the shooting.
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Later that evening, Schulenburg Police stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation around 11:30 p.m. Upon confirming Scott’s identity and learning of the pending murder and aggravated assault charges, officers took him into custody without incident. He remains held in Fayette County but will soon be transferred to Harris County to face formal charges.
Victims and Aftermath
Police confirmed that one restaurant patron was shot and killed during the incident, while a stray bullet also struck an employee, who was treated and later released from medical care. While authorities have confirmed that Scott Jr. and the deceased victim were acquainted, the specific nature of their relationship and a clear motive remain under investigation.
In the wake of the shooting, Bubba’s 33 temporarily closed over the weekend. A statement shared with ABC13 noted the restaurant will reopen Monday, July 14, and expressed relief that the injured employee is recovering well.
A Community on Edge
For the Pasadena community, this tragedy has sparked broader concerns about public safety. Maria Santos, a local resident and mother, voiced the fears many are now feeling. “I pick up my daughter from across the street every day. If we can’t even feel safe sitting down for dinner, what’s next?” Santos has started a petition urging city leaders to install emergency alert systems in shopping center areas to improve response times during violent incidents.
Police stress there is no ongoing threat to the public, but they continue urging anyone with information—particularly about the relationship between Scott Jr. and the victim—to come forward.
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Key Facts:
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Suspect: Kenneth Leon Scott Jr., 48
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Arrested: July 12, in Fayette County, TX
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Victims: 1 deceased patron, 1 injured employee (released from care)
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Charges: Murder, aggravated assault
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Next Steps: Transfer to Harris County custody
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Restaurant Status: Bubba’s 33 set to reopen July 14
