Man wanted for murder shot to death by law enforcement team in NW Harris Co.: HCSO
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A man wanted for murder was shot and killed by a law enforcement team that was attempting to apprehend him at a motel in northwest Harris County on Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office says.
The deadly shooting occurred around 11:25 a.m. in the 12200 block of Veterans Memorial Drive.
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According to the sheriff’s office, the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, which is made up of members from different law enforcement agencies, learned that a wanted suspect was at a motel in the area.
While they were surveilling him, authorities say someone in a van came over to pick him up, and he started leaving.
According to HCSO, task force members blocked the van into the driveway, so Velasquez got out of the vehicle and started running. Authorities say they deployed a taser and pepper balls as they attempted to detain him.
The sheriff's office says he fell into a ditch, and as he stood up, he reached into his waistband and produced a pistol. Authorities say five members of the task force shot at him.
A man who was wanted for murder and other violent crimes was shot to death by law enforcement in NW Harris County, according to the Harris County sheriff.
He died at the scene. The sheriff's office identified him as Jose Velasquez, 25. Authorities say he was wanted on multiple felony warrants including murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and deadly conduct.
The task force members were not injured. Authorities say the task force members who fired their weapons include two with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, two with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General, and one deputy U.S. Marshal.
The sheriff’s office's Homicide Unit and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation. When completed, the findings will be presented to a Harris County grand jury.
Anyone with information in the investigation may contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at (712)274-9100.