Two men killed in early-morning shooting outside Northwest Side hookah lounge near Loop 1604
What happened
Two men were shot and killed early Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, after gunfire erupted outside a hookah lounge on San Antonio’s Northwest Side, police said. The shooting was reported around 1:25 a.m. in the 4500 block of North Loop 1604 West, near Northwest Military Highway.
Investigators said a vehicle pulled up near the business and someone fired into a crowd gathered in an outdoor smoking area. The driver of the sedan fled, and the shooter was not immediately identified.
Victims and injuries
Police reported that at least two men were hit by the gunfire and were pronounced dead at the scene. As of Wednesday morning, the victims’ identities had not been released, and their ages were described as believed to be in their 20s.
Authorities had not confirmed whether any additional people were injured, leaving open questions about the total number of victims and whether others in the crowd sought medical care after leaving the area.
Where it occurred
The incident took place along Loop 1604 on the city’s Northwest Side, a corridor with late-night businesses and heavy vehicle traffic during overnight hours. The address range provided by investigators corresponds with the Ridge shopping center area near 4553 N Loop 1604 W, where a hookah venue operates.
What investigators are working to determine
Detectives were still reconstructing the circumstances that led to the shooting, including whether the victims were targeted or struck amid indiscriminate fire into the crowd. Police had not released details about:
- a description of the shooter
- a clearer description of the sedan involved
- how many shots were fired or what caliber weapon may have been used
- surveillance video findings or witness statements
Because the suspect vehicle reportedly left immediately after the gunfire, investigators are expected to focus on obtaining video from surrounding businesses and traffic corridors and identifying witnesses who were present in the outdoor area.
What happens next
The case remains under investigation. Authorities typically await next-of-kin notification before releasing the names of the deceased, and additional details often emerge once homicide detectives complete early interviews and gather video evidence from the scene.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the San Antonio Police Department.