A man is dead after investigators say a homeowner woke up to find him inside a house early Wednesday morning, leading to a confrontation that ended in a shooting.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with Precinct 4 responded around 5:45 a.m. to a home in the 16900 block of Spring Creek Oaks.
When they arrived, they found an unidentified man on a walking trail behind the home. Investigators say he had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
What investigators say happened
Authorities say the homeowner told deputies he woke up and discovered a man inside his house wearing a mask and gloves.
Investigators say the two got into a physical fight inside the home that moved outside.
At some point, the homeowner went back inside, but officials say the suspect returned to the property, leading to a second confrontation in the backyard.
That’s when, according to investigators, the homeowner got a handgun and shot the man.
The suspect then ran, jumped over a fence, and was later found on a nearby walking trail.
Officials say there were three adults and two children, ages 12 and 13, inside the home at the time of the incident.
No one else was injured.
As part of the investigation, detectives are speaking with everyone who was inside the house to better understand what happened.
The suspect has not yet been identified.
Investigators say there were no signs of forced entry, but they believe the man got into the home through a back door.
Authorities are still working to determine exactly what led up to the encounter and why the suspect returned to the home after the first altercation.
No arrests have been made at this time.
The case will be reviewed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges will be filed.