A robbery in January that led to a fatal shooting in the city was staged, according to HPD.
Police initially said a bystander witnessed Rasshauud Scott appearing to rob a couple at gunpoint at a gas station near the Beltway on Ella.
However, HPD has now said the couple and Scott were working together to stage a robbery so that the man and woman could file a report with the police and use their crime victim status to apply for a non immigrant status or visa.
Police said Winfrey and Scott staged numerous other similar robberies dating back to 2023 in a bid to help the alleged victims obtain visas.
One took place at a northeast Houston gas station on Jan. 26 in which Scott pretended to rob a cashier at the store.