An intense standoff on an Alabama highway resulted in the arrest of a woman wanted for shooting her ex-boyfriend outside the Bellaire Police Department in Texas, authorities said. The woman identified as 39-year-old Choima Agurd, led police on a chase before a standoff on Interstate 65 in Autauga County which concluded with her arrest after Alabama law enforcement employed spike strips to halt her Mercedes SUV, Click2Houston reported.
On Friday, at approximately 2:30 a.m., an urgent call was made to the Bellaire police by occupants of a Ford truck, claiming they were being followed by Agurd, in her SUV. Police say the group sought refuge at the police department to avoid a violent encounter. However, upon their arrival, two Bellaire officers witnessed Agurd opening fire on the passenger side of the truck, hitting her ex-boyfriend multiple times. The officers responded but the suspect fled the scene, leading to her eventual capture, as detailed by the Houston Chronicle.
Agurd now faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault on a public servant. Her bond has been set at $30,000. The victim, who has not been identified publicly, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in serious condition but was stable enough to speak with officers following surgery.
The situation led to a significant response from Alabama’s highway patrol, the Bureau of Investigations, the SWAT team, and a hostage negotiation unit for over two hours. During the standoff, there were initial concerns that a child might be present in the vehicle with Agurd, but she was later found to be alone in the vehicle, the Alabama authorities relayed. The highway was closed on both sides during the standoff, creating a substantial interruption for travelers, according to Click2Houston.
