The shooting took place at around 8:21 a.m. at the end of Dryad Street, near Westbury High School, police said. The area is reportedly a spot where students commonly gather before classes begin. A 17-year-old senior at Westbury High School was fatally shot near the Houston Independent School District campus in southwest Houston on Friday morning, according to the Houston Police Department. The shooting took place at around 8:21 a.m. at the end of Dryad Street, near Westbury High School, police said. The area is reportedly a spot where students commonly gather before classes begin. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said an exchange of words took place before a person allegedly produced a handgun. "Someone came out of a wooded area nearby at a nearby [apartment] complex and from that we believe some words were exchanged and someone produced a handgun and unfortunately someone lost their life as a result of what I call a cowardly act," Diaz said during a press conference on Friday morning. The Houston Independent School District said the school was operating under "Secure" mode while police investigated the nearby shooting. The identity of the student has not been publicly released. Authorities confirmed that the victim was a 17-year-old senior at Westbury High School. No suspect had been arrested as of Friday morning. However, Diaz said investigators had an indication of who they were looking for. "I'm saddened by the loss," Diaz said, adding that "it shouldn't have happened." "Keep this family in your prayers. These kinds of events shouldn't be happening in our community," the police chief said. According to law enforcement officials, the school was not placed under lockdown following the shooting. Students were able to return to their classrooms as the investigation continued outside the campus. The Texas Department of Public Safety was also assisting Houston police with the investigation, Diaz said. The shooting is the second reported incident near a Houston-area school this week. On Wednesday, a 14-year-old was taken into custody after a 15-year-old was fatally shot outside a Spring Independent School District high school.