A teen suspect was sentenced to 40 years in prison in the deadly shooting of a woman on a METRO bus in west Houston, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said. Brayden Smith, a former Elsik High School student, pleaded guilty on Oct. 14 to the shooting death of 25-year-old Caitlin Stup, TDCJ said.
The shooting happened on Jan. 7 in the 10800 block of Richmond Avenue. The Houston Police Department said Smith and another suspect, 18-year-old Patrick Scott, were arguing on a METRO bus before gunfire broke out. HPD said Smith fired the shots that killed Stup and injured a teenager. Authorities described Stup as an innocent bystander. Both suspects fled the scene.
Authorities released surveillance images the next day, and Smith and Scott were later arrested. Records show Scott was already charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in the January shooting. His next court appearance is expected Thursday. In court on Tuesday, Stup's family gave victim impact statements.