A suspect clad in a ballistic vest and helmet was shot by the Houston Police Department yesterday in southwest Houston after reportedly engaging in gunfire with police officers. The shooting occurred on Buxley Street, close to where Hiram Clarke meets Sims Bayou, ABC13 reports. According to the Houston Police, officers from the Southwest Crime Opression Team were in the middle of an unrelated case when they noticed a man stepping out from a home, geared in protective wear, and carrying a rifle case.
HPD officers, while in the process of surveilling the suspect, observed him entering a white Escalade. Shortly thereafter, a chase ensued, during which the suspect allegedly brandished a rifle, possibly an AR-15, within the vehicle, according to statements made by Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz to KHOU. Although a PIT maneuver attempt by the police was unsuccessful, the altercation escalated when the suspect crashed into a ditch after having possibly fired at officers.
"Where's this guy going?" Chief Diaz recounted on KHOU, highlighting proximity to nearby schools as a factor exacerbating concern for the standoff's outcome. Although the suspect was struck by gunfire twice in the left shoulder, his injuries were deemed minor, likely mitigated by the ballistic vest he was wearing. He was provided with medical treatment on site before being transported to the Texas Medical Center.
Due to the ongoing situation, Lawson Middle School and Grissom Elementary School were put on a brief lockdown as a safety precaution. "It's just great police work by the Houston Police Department. They're all we're always out here. Uh, we're always working to try to solve problems in the community, and luckily today, uh, nothing catastrophic happened. And the young man is obviously injured, but he, he looks like he's going to survive it," Diaz commented, as relayed by KHOU. The lockdown, which lasted for about 25 minutes, was subsequently lifted once the man was taken into custody.
In addition to the statements given by school officials, HPD has indicated that bodycam footage from the incident will be released to the public in 30 days, as per its policy.
