Houston police officer shoots at suspect while getting dragged by their vehicle, officials say
HOUSTON - An investigation is underway for an officer-involved shooting in the Heights area Saturday evening.
It happened around 7:15 p.m. in the 7400 block of N Main, where based on preliminary information from Asst. Chief Hatcher with the Houston Police Department, it all started with a traffic stop.
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The driver allegedly had an "illegal tint," which is an equipment violation. Before the officer could get out of their patrol vehicle, the unidentified driver started getting in and out of the car. Asst. Chief Hatcher says the officer "made verbal commands" to the driver and walked over to him to speak with him. That's when the driver opened his door and closed it again but then sat inside.
The officer reportedly then opened the car door and told him to get out of the vehicle, but he refused. That's when the driver closed the door again and tried to leave, but the officer held the door open this time and a brief struggle ensued over the steering wheel.
Asst. Chief Hatcher explained the driver started speeding, with the officer still hanging onto the car, so the officer began shooting, hitting the driver once in the leg before they crashed into a fence. The impact of the crash caused both the officer and driver to get thrown from the vehicle.
They were rushed to the hospital in serious, but stable condition. Several investigations are underway
No other details were available, as of this writing.
FOX 26 Houston will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
