A man has been slapped with charges after a violent confrontation ended in gunfire at a Houston address earlier this week, law enforcement officials say. William Christopher Strickland, 37, faces assault charges for allegedly attacking a family member, with the incident occurring at around 10:50 a.m. on Valentine's Day at 1303 Gears Road.
According to the City of Houston News, Strickland was reportedly involved in a dispute with a transgender female, whom he was dating, The altercation escalated, ultimately leading to Strickland being shot in the leg. He was transported to a hospital for treatment, and he has been charged in the 228th State District Court. Due to his hospitalization, a booking photo of Strickland is currently unavailable, authorities mentioned.
At the scene of the crime, police found Strickland with the non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Houston Fire Department paramedics rushed him to the hospital following the altercation that saw him allegedly strangle the victim before she shot him in what is being described as self-defense.
Detectives A. Wright and L. Garcia from the HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division reported upon arriving and assessing the situation, Statements from witnesses on-site helped in piecing together the events that transpired, leading to the district attorney’s office sanctioning Strickland's charges. The female shooter, 24, did not sustain serious injuries during the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the dynamics of relationships and the violence that can erupt within them continue to be a grave concern for the community and for the authorities tasked with securing justice and providing protection to those who find themselves in harrowing domestic situations.
