Harris County suspect shot, killed by officer while task force tried to serve warrant
HOUSTON - A man was shot and killed Wednesday morning after opening fire on law enforcement officers who were attempting to execute a warrant in a domestic violence case, authorities say.
The deadly incident occurred around 6 a.m. when members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force convened on a home in the 13100 block of Luthe Road, near the Hardy Toll Road and Aldine Mail Route Road.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says 14 officers with the U.S. Marshals Service, the Houston Police Department, the sheriff’s office and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice went to the home to serve a felony warrant for aggravated assault on a suspect accused of stabbing his girlfriend last week.
The sheriff says the officers announced their presence, and three adults – including a pregnant woman – came out of the home. The man authorities believe to be the suspect remained inside.
The officers approached the front door and gave commands to try to get the suspect to turn himself in, to no avail, authorities say. Not long after, the sheriff says, officers heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from the room where the suspect was believed to be.
Authorities say the officers attempted to use a less-lethal weapon to no avail.
At some point, the suspect exited the home with a shotgun and fired at the officers, the sheriff says.
A Houston Police Department officer shot at the suspect, striking him, officials say. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were injured.
The sheriff says the man who died is believed to be the wanted suspect they were looking for. His identity has not yet been released, but he is said to be 26 years old.
The HPD officer who shot the suspect is said to be a 15-year veteran of the department. He will be placed on administrative duties as the incident is reviewed, per HPD policy.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz says the incident "is not the outcome that we wanted" but says it appears the officer acted appropriately. Body cam video will be released within 30 days, as is department policy.
"Condolences to the decedent’s family, as well. But again, every day these young people, these police officers, are waking up, doing the hard stuff, keeping our community safe, and for their efforts we’re very grateful," Chief Diaz says.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation because the shooting happened in the unincorporated portion of the county. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is also investigating.
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