A tragic incident unfolded at a United States Postal Service (USPS) processing center in Missouri City, Texas, leading to one fatality and murder charges for a postal employee.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 9, 2024, at the postal facility located on Highway 90 Alt, about 14 miles southwest of Houston, Texas.

The victim, Kevin J. Hines, 35, a USPS contractor, was discovered at the scene with gunshot wounds. Derrick Deon Lott Jr., 24, a USPS employee, was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.

Investigative reports indicate Hines was shot in the back of the head. At the time of the shooting, Lott was out on bond for a purported assault on a peace officer earlier in the year.

As a result of the active shooter alert, the facility was promptly evacuated. Numerous employees assembled outside the building amidst a significant police presence.

Dana Carter, an inspector with the Houston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said, “I can confirm that there was one individual involved. That individual is in custody and the community is safe.”

Expressing concern for worker safety, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Acting Inspector in Charge Mona Hernandez stated, “Our employees deserve to feel safe when they come to work.”

Following the incident, Congressman Al Green, whose district encompasses the facility, postponed a visit initially scheduled for December 13. Instead, Green and Congresswoman Garcia plan to meet with high-ranking postal officials at the North Houston Regional Processing Center to discuss postal matters, including the recent shooting.

The USPS enforces a stringent policy that forbids employees and visitors from possessing or storing firearms on postal property, encompassing parking lots. Non-compliance can lead to job termination and possible criminal prosecution.

Normal operations at the facility have been halted while the investigation continues. Lott’s bond has been set at $2 million.