On Monday in Houston's Greenspoint neighborhood, an armed robbery suspect allegedly used a store employee as a human shield. Police shot the suspect outside a cash-services business. The employee and officers were not injured.
Officers Rush To Greenspoint Scene
According to KHOU, Houston police were dispatched to a panic alarm at a cash-services storefront in the 200 block of West Greens Road. HPD said commanders and the department's public information officer headed to the scene, with an on-scene briefing promised once the situation was under control. Investigators were expected to document the location and speak with witnesses after the shooting.
What Investigators Say Happened Inside
The Houston Chronicle reports that officers arrived around 8:33 a.m. to find a man holding a female employee at gunpoint inside an ACE Cash Express at 203 West Greens Road. Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra told reporters the worker "She (was) not armed" when officers confronted the situation. Police say they opened fire after the suspect walked out of the store behind the employee with a pistol pressed to her back. Officers and medics gave aid, and the suspect was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
Who Was Hurt And Who Wasn't
The suspect is believed to be a man in his mid-20s, and the officer who fired has six years of service with HPD's North Belt Division, as per Click2Houston. First responders said the suspect is expected to recover, and the employee was not injured. Authorities have not released the names of the officer or the suspect as the investigation continues.
Investigation And Next Steps
As detailed by Houston Chronicle, the Harris County District Attorney's Office, along with HPD's homicide and internal affairs divisions, is expected to investigate the shooting and determine whether any criminal charges are warranted. HPD has not announced any charges and said more details would be released following the on-scene briefing. The department's standard officer-involved shooting review and the district attorney's review will decide whether any legal or administrative action follows.
