The Beaumont Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred March 8 in the parking lot near Waffle House and Cinemark Tinseltown.
On March 8, 2026, at approximately 9:33 p.m., officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of 3865 IH-10. When officers arrived, they encountered a chaotic scene involving a large group of juveniles who had been gathered in the area, a statement from BPD shares.
During the investigation, officers learned that two groups of juveniles had reportedly been asked to leave the movie theater located at 3855 IH-10 South. Shortly after leaving the theater, a disturbance occurred in the parking lot and investigators believe individuals from both groups began firing weapons at each other. One person was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Due to initial reports that a suspect may have been inside the theater, officers quickly cleared the Cinemark Tinseltown building as a safety precaution.
Detectives processed the scene and collected evidence; however, investigators have encountered limited cooperation from individuals who were present. Detectives are asking anyone who was in the area, including parents whose children may have been present, to come forward with information. Investigators are also asking the public to report any videos circulating on social media or captured on cell phones or surveillance cameras.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaumont Police Department at 409-832-1234 or submit a tip through Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers.
Along with the report, BPD sent out a message to parents and guardians.
This incident is part of a concerning trend officers have seen in recent days involving unsupervised juveniles gathering late at night and engaging in reckless and criminal behavior, the message reads.
Over the past week alone, Beaumont Police have responded to multiple incidents involving juveniles and young adults between the ages of 15 and 20, including shootings, deadly conduct investigations, evading police, and individuals found in possession of firearms and masks.
These situations are extremely dangerous and have the potential to end in tragedy, not only for those involved, but also for innocent bystanders in the community.
The Beaumont Police Department urges parents and guardians to know where their children are, who they are with, and what they are doing. Allowing teenagers to gather in large groups late at night without supervision can quickly escalate into dangerous situations like the one officers encountered.
Public safety requires a partnership between law enforcement, parents, and the community. The Beaumont Police Department will continue working to keep the community safe, but preventing incidents like this also requires accountability and involvement at home.