HOUSTON, TX – The father of an employee involved in a shooting at the Green House Dispensary in west Houston told Houston Stringer his son was “scared” before a teen was shot inside the business.

The shooting occurred in the 8600 block of Long Point.

According to the Houston Police Department, a teen entered the dispensary and was shot multiple times by an employee as he was leaving the store. The teen was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

At the scene, the employee’s father told Houston Stringer his son called him and said he had shot someone. The father stated he was told the teen had been stealing from the store when the employee encountered him after coming out of the restroom.

“He actually went all the way to the back of the store and stole out of there,” the father said. “While my son was in the restroom, my son came out, scared him.”

The father later clarified that the teen allegedly startled the employee.

“My son shot three times and hit him in the back once,” he said.

The father said the employee legally carried the firearm and was “very sorry that he did it.” He also expressed sympathy for the teen and the teen’s family.

Houston Police said only one firearm was recovered at the scene, which was in the possession of the employee. Investigators also stated surveillance video captured the shooting inside the store.

The Houston Police Department Major Assaults Division is investigating, and the case will go before a grand jury.