A late-night family confrontation inside a Third Ward home ended in tragedy when, according to relatives, 45-year-old Spencer Germany was shot and killed after stepping in to stop an attack on his elderly mother. Family members say Germany confronted a relative who was allegedly choking the woman, and that what started as a desperate attempt to protect her turned into a homicide scene that left the neighborhood stunned.
What police say
Houston police say officers were called to a shooting in the 3300 block of Anita Street around 12:10 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived, they found a man with multiple gunshot wounds, who was taken to a hospital and later died from his injuries. Detectives consulted with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and arrested 28-year-old Rogers McFarland Jr., who was charged and booked into the Harris County Jail, according to a news release from the Houston Police Department. At the time of that release, investigators noted that the victim’s identity was still pending verification by the medical examiner.
Family’s account
Relatives say Germany stepped in after seeing McFarland allegedly strangling his elderly mother inside the Anita Street home. According to the family, McFarland left the house after the confrontation, then returned hours later with a gun. They say he opened fire on Germany inside the home.
Family members described themselves as “outraged and devastated” that McFarland later received a $750,000 bond and told reporters they plan to be physically present for every court hearing as the case moves forward. They also urged anyone who might have seen or heard anything to contact investigators, as reported by KHOU.
Charges and court status
McFarland has been charged with murder in the 176th Criminal District Court and booked into the Harris County Jail, according to the Houston Police Department. Detectives say their work is still very much in progress as they gather statements and evidence for prosecutors reviewing the case.
Third Ward safety context
The deadly shooting unfolded on a stretch of Anita Street that residents know all too well from past crime scenes. In April 2025, three people were injured in a shooting near the 3300 block of Anita Street, a burst of gunfire that heightened long-standing safety concerns in the neighborhood, according to reporting by Click2Houston…