'Spree killer' on loose in major American city

Police sketch of Houston-area gunman

A gunman is on the loose after killing a man and attacking four others in a spree of random shootings in the Houston area.

"Based on the information we do have, it's very likely these five cases are related," Houston Police Dept. Sgt. Tommy Ruland said at a news conference.

In all five incidents, the gunman, driving a dark-colored SUV, pulled up next to someone walking on a street and opened fire without saying a word or making a robbery demand.

The gunman either fired from the vehicle or stepped out and began shooting.

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A man walking to a friend's house was the gunman's first intended victim.

The SUV pulled up alongside him, but when the gunman got out and pulled the trigger, the gun jammed, allowing the pedestrian to flee.

Half an hour later, Pak Ho, 34, was shot dead in a tree-lined residential neighborhood about seven miles away. The Yale graduate was ambushed while trying to catch a city bus and described a black SUV to police before he died.

The third attack happened three hours later, police said. Savalas Holmes said he saw a black Jeep Cherokee before he was shot near the thigh.

“A thousand things were going through my head. Am I losing too much blood? Am I going to collapse here?” he said.

Hours after Holmes was attacked, a 50-year-old man was shot at a bus stop 15 miles away.

On Monday, a fourth person was shot in the arm and stomach in Missouri City, Texas, southwest of Houston.

Police released a sketch of the gunman.

"We're looking for a black male, light skin, possible mixed race, stocky build, early 30s," Ruland said.

Police believe he is driving a dark 1999 to 2006 Jeep Cherokee.

I would not walk alone if it were me," Ruland said. "I would walk in groups. Be aware of your surroundings."

Missouri City Detective Andy Robb said Thursday the suspect appeared to be targeting people walking alone who he could surprise. "It's more a case of opportunity," Robb said.