A traffic stop in Conroe ended with gunfire Tuesday after a Montgomery County Precinct 2 deputy shot a man near Carl Barton Jr. Park, according to officials. The man was hit and taken to a hospital, and the deputy was evaluated and treated as a precaution while investigators locked down the park into the evening.
Authorities say the encounter started on S. Loop 336 East, where the deputy fired three shots during a confrontation with the driver. One round struck the man in the hand. Investigators say the man then drove into Carl Barton Jr. Park, ditched his vehicle, and ran before additional officers chased him down, took him into custody, and got him medical care, while the deputy was also checked out, as reported by Click2Houston.
What officials said
"The initial investigation shows he exited, was non-compliant, was not following orders, and his behavior was erratic," Constable David Eason said, according to ABC13. Investigators said they will review body-worn camera footage and other evidence as the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office processes the scene.
Park activity and response
Officials shut down the park's main entrance for several hours while deputies documented the scene and collected evidence. Witnesses told reporters that high school baseball players and other parkgoers cleared out as crime-scene tape went up, and law enforcement set up a media staging area nearby, according to coverage by FOX 26 Houston.
Suspect identified
Local reporting identified the suspect as 34-year-old John Laredo and said he has previous assault convictions, according to Click2Houston. Officials have not yet released an arrest affidavit or booking record, and investigators have not said whether the suspect was armed when the confrontation escalated.
Investigation and next steps
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and will review body-worn camera video along with other evidence, authorities said, according to ABC13. If charges are filed, they will be handled by prosecutors after investigators finish gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Precinct officials asked residents to steer clear of the area while crews worked the scene and noted that a public information officer was available to brief the media, per local reports from KTRH. We will update this story as agencies release more details.
