Harris County Sheriff's Office is digging into the details of a deputy-involved shooting that unfolded outside a northwest Houston Walgreens last Saturday night, where a 61-year-old man was critically injured in the altercation; this event is currently subject to an inquiry by both, the Sheriff's Office's internal affairs division and the District Attorney's Office, as reported by Click2Houston and Houston Chronicle.
The incident happened around 8:44 p.m. at the Walgreens on 12097 Veterans Memorial Drive after employees called 911 about a man harassing customers in the parking lot. The man, possibly homeless, had a history of similar issues and had been given about 15 trespass warnings, according to an HCSO spokesperson. Earlier that evening, deputies had been called about the same man, but he left before they arrived. Employees were told to call again if he came back—which they did. When a deputy tried to question him, the man refused to cooperate and walked away despite being told to stop, causing the situation to escalate, as detailed by Click2Houston.
During this encounter, the deputy engaged in a 50-yard pursuit through the parking lot and tried to subdue the man with a taser, but after two unsuccessful attempts, resorted to using his firearm, "He was continually giving verbal commands to stop, stop, stop, and the suspect refused to comply" John Nanny, an assistant chief with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, told OnScene TV; the man was hit in the arm, hip, and wrist, then the officer administered a tourniquet to the man's leg and called for medical services, the man was then admitted to the hospital and is currently in stable but critical condition, added Nanny, according to Houston Chronicle.
The deputy who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. No weapon was found on the suspect. Investigators are now trying to find out if the man was a threat to the deputy or if mental health issues played a role in his actions.
