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Man dead from self-inflicted gunshot after barricade situation at Katy-area apartment; woman also found dead inside

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities say a man who barricaded himself inside an apartment in the Katy-area is dead after shooting himself during a standoff with SWAT. A woman was also found dead inside the apartment.

The scene unfolded in the 1000 block of Katy Gap Road.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the man allegedly shot his girlfriend, critically wounding her, before barricading himself inside the apartment.

Authorities say it started at 1:52 p.m. when the man called authorities and said he had accidentally shot his girlfriend. Authorities say he was frantic while on the phone.

When deputies arrived and made contact with the man, deputies say the man refused to obey their commands and threatened to kill himself. He then barricaded himself inside the apartment.

Crises negotiators attempted to talk and get the man to surrender, but the man refused.

Investigators used drones to check on the condition of the 20-year-old woman inside the apartment.

“Our drones were able to capture pictures of her where it showed she didn’t have any signs of life,” Dean said.

Neighbors described the chaos that unfolded as SWAT teams and deputies flooded the complex.

“I did hear a gunshot,” said neighbor Aunica Horn.

Witness Naomi Morris said she heard “a lot of screams and the cops talking to him.”

As deputies worked to resolve the situation, gas was used to try and get the man to come out and surrender. Instead, the man went out onto the balcony, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the girlfriend was also found dead inside the apartment.

No deputies discharged their weapons during the incident. The circumstances surrounding both deaths remain under investigation.

Officials say no one else was inside the apartment at the time of the incident.

Deputies confirmed they had previously been called to the apartment for a disturbance, but specific details about that prior call were not available.

For Horn, the incident has shaken her sense of safety.

“As a woman, it’s scary,” she said. “I just feel like with kids, I don’t think this is where I want to raise my kids anymore.”

The investigation is ongoing.