A man embroiled in a killing rampage and fierce shootouts with authorities has been rounded up after a tense confrontation with SWAT in west Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Tilford Anthony Joseph, retreated into an apartment on Westborough Drive Wednesday, igniting a standoff with law enforcement after a "weapons disturbance" call roused deputies to the location, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Joseph was wanted for the murder of Teresa Houston, 44, who died after being shot multiple times by a man later identified as Joseph, outside a Museum District gas station. Prior to the standoff, a deputy constable and the man exchanged gunfire following the shooting. Remarkably, both parties emerged unscathed even as the suspect hijacked the deputy's vehicle, only to return, unleash more rounds, and then flee in his own car, KHOU detailed.
Evidence of a domestic violence history between Houston and Joseph punctuated the case, with Houston serving Alvin ISD in what has been described as her first year employed there. She worked in a fundamental skills class at Shadow Creek High School. Following three hours of negotiations, the sheriff confirmed that Joseph was taken into custody peacefully.
During the standoff's tense culmination, further evidence emerged linking Joseph to the earlier violence. Sheriff Gonzalez relayed that after deputies became aware of Joseph's potential murder and aggravated assault charges, their approach intensified, a critical turning point in the standoff's resolution. “Immediately went into a shooting. The officer retreated, exchanged rounds. The suspect then got into the deputy’s vehicle and drove away,” HPD Assist. Chief Jessica Anderson recounted to KHOU. The suspect is charged with murder and aggravated assault of a peace officer, but charging documents were not immediately available.
The deputy constable engaged with Joseph had a veteran's tenure, with 14 years of service, and suffered a fall and head injury in the exchange. He was subsequently hospitalized, and he is expected to recover.
