HOUSTON – A Harris County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a suspect that is accused of shooting and killing a woman at a house party in northwest Harris County on Christmas Eve.
Officials said the suspect, identified as 52-year-old Albert Benjamin Simon, was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The deputy-involved shooting was reported around 3:15 Saturday near Hermann Park.
On Christmas Eve, Simon forced his way into a home where his estranged ex-girlfriend, 46-year-old Carolee Dawn Taylor, was celebrating her birthday, officials said. Deputies say removed her from the home at gunpoint before shooting her multiple times on the front porch.
The shooting happened at around 8:40 pm on Dec. 24 at a home in the 16500 block of Obsidian Drive.
“He came up with pretty much weapon drawn and scared everybody, everybody started to scatter. He was very focused on what he was coming here for and she didn’t have a chance," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Deputies say Simon then fled the scene in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with Texas license plate LYN0345.
“I went to this scene last night and couldn’t help but think that her final moments were spent happy celebrating her birthday with friends,” HCSO Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet. “She wore holiday festive attire. Simon brutally gunned her down. We must find him asap. Domestic Violence is a serious epidemic.”
Neighbors are frightened by what happened.
“This is a family neighborhood you don’t expect something like that to happen,” said Robert Spruill, who lives nearby.
Deputies said anyone with information regarding the case should contact the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713.274.9100 or call Crime Stoppers at 713.222.TIPS(8477).
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.