HOUSTON, TX - In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 2, Houston police were looking for an assault and burglary suspect. According to Houston's NBC affiliate KPRC, they found the suspect, who ambushed one of the responding officers, shooting him through the passenger window.
The officer was hit three times, but was able to return fire, ending the assault. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
“[The officer] is one of our top-notch guys, thank God he’s going to be OK. [He] sustained multiple shots to his arms and legs, and his ballistic vest took on one shot. But he’s in with the best doctors in the world, and they’re taking care of him,” HPD Chief Troy Finner said.
The 17-year veteran, a sergeant, was one of three officers that were following the suspect after allegedly observing him casing some local businesses. They followed the individual and a woman driving in a silver Honda to a hotel in the area.
The couple exited the vehicle and began walking around. They got back in the car and drove to a nearby shopping center. As the officers continued to pursue the suspect, he ambushed one of the police vehicles, approaching for the passenger side.
Chief Finner also said that the officer's ballistic vest likely saved his life, as at least one round fired by the suspect struck the vest with another hitting the officer in his side. While not releasing the name of the officer, the senior HPD officer said that the officer's wife was at the hospital and she said that he was resting and recovering.
The HPD and Texas Rangers are investigating the incident since it was an officer involved shooting.
Houston's ABC 13 reported the incident going down not as an ambush, but instead, said that a shootout erupted after police made contact with the suspect, per investigators. Their report seems to rely on the original HPD tweet that stated the preliminary information indicated a foot pursuit. Their story appears to contradict the tweet they posted.
Finner also said that he was proud of how all his officers handled themselves. The wounded officer remained calm enough to eliminate the threat despite being hit. The other officers responded in rendering medical aid in advance of EMS arrival.
There were no reports of injuries suffered by any other officers. The woman accompanying the suspect was detained, but it was not immediately clear if she was suspected of any crimes.
The officer was hit three times, but was able to return fire, ending the assault. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
“[The officer] is one of our top-notch guys, thank God he’s going to be OK. [He] sustained multiple shots to his arms and legs, and his ballistic vest took on one shot. But he’s in with the best doctors in the world, and they’re taking care of him,” HPD Chief Troy Finner said.
The 17-year veteran, a sergeant, was one of three officers that were following the suspect after allegedly observing him casing some local businesses. They followed the individual and a woman driving in a silver Honda to a hotel in the area.
The couple exited the vehicle and began walking around. They got back in the car and drove to a nearby shopping center. As the officers continued to pursue the suspect, he ambushed one of the police vehicles, approaching for the passenger side.
Chief Finner also said that the officer's ballistic vest likely saved his life, as at least one round fired by the suspect struck the vest with another hitting the officer in his side. While not releasing the name of the officer, the senior HPD officer said that the officer's wife was at the hospital and she said that he was resting and recovering.
The HPD and Texas Rangers are investigating the incident since it was an officer involved shooting.
Houston's ABC 13 reported the incident going down not as an ambush, but instead, said that a shootout erupted after police made contact with the suspect, per investigators. Their report seems to rely on the original HPD tweet that stated the preliminary information indicated a foot pursuit. Their story appears to contradict the tweet they posted.
Finner also said that he was proud of how all his officers handled themselves. The wounded officer remained calm enough to eliminate the threat despite being hit. The other officers responded in rendering medical aid in advance of EMS arrival.
There were no reports of injuries suffered by any other officers. The woman accompanying the suspect was detained, but it was not immediately clear if she was suspected of any crimes.
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