A confrontation between Houston police and a teenager alleged to have been involved in a drug deal escalated to gunfire last night, sending the young man to the hospital. The incident occurred just before 9:45 p.m. on Liberty Road off the Eastex Freeway, where two officers, according to Click2Houston, witnessed what they suspected to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction.
The officers, as reported by Click2Houston, approached the two young men in their patrol car and after the men began to walk away, a foot pursuit ensued. A struggle occurred when one of the officers attempted to detain a teenager, who was observed to have a gun in his waistband. The suspect, a boy between the ages of 15 and 16, reportedly shot at the officers as he fled, prompting them to fire back, striking him in the "upper torso."
The other individual involved in the apparent drug deal managed to escape amid the chaos. HPD Chief Noe Diaz told KHOU that the officers "immediately administered first aid" to the teenager, which included a tourniquet and blood clotting agent. The teen was subsequently transported to the hospital; details regarding his condition have not been released.
In accordance with HPD policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave during an ongoing investigation which includes a review of body-camera footage. Chief Diaz assured the public that the body-worn camera video would be released to the community within the next 30 days, as stated in an interview provided to KHOU. Authorities are continuing their search for the second suspect, who remains at large. The description of this individual has yet to be shared with the public.
