Houston police have released body-worn camera footage of a deadly shootout inside a Sam's Club along the East Freeway, pulling back the curtain on a chaotic confrontation that started in the parking lot and ended in a cramped office near the back of the store. The April 25 encounter left the suspect dead, while no store employees or officers were reported injured. The video, made public nearly a month after the gunfire, shows officers working their way through aisles toward the office where it all came to a head.
Officers move in as gunfire erupts
The footage shows officers slipping in through a back entrance and advancing down several aisles toward an office whose window is already pocked with bullet holes. One officer can be heard calling out, “Houston police, where are you at? I don't want to do this,” as officers order the man inside to surrender. Seconds later, gunfire erupts and officers fire back in at least two bursts, according to ABC13.
Confrontation starts in the parking lot
Police say the trouble began outside, when store employees confronted a man they believed was breaking into cars in the parking lot. According to investigators, the suspect started shooting after workers tried to push him back, then followed those employees into the store. Responding officers engaged him in a gunfight inside the building and later attempted to render aid. Authorities reported no injuries to employees or officers in the exchange, per Click2Houston.
Suspect identified in office standoff
Houston police identified the suspect as Obed Flores Trujillo. In the bodycam video, Trujillo appears barricaded in the back office and apparently firing in the direction of officers. Moments after they force the office door open, officers find him with multiple gunshot wounds and begin treating him. He later died from his injuries, according to ABC13.
Multiple HPD units probing the shooting
Local reporting indicates the Houston Police Department's Homicide Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are all involved in the review of the April 25 shooting, per Houston Stringer. HPD has been steadily posting body-worn camera footage from serious incidents this spring, including its April 29 release of a custody-death video previously covered by news site Hoodline.
So far, the department has not released additional information about a possible motive or any potential charges related to the case. Investigators are continuing to review the recordings and other evidence, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact HPD's Homicide Division.
