HOUSTON – An officer shot a man after witnessing the man committing a robbery in Midtown, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.
The incident was reported about 1 p.m. near the corner of Fannin and Hadley streets.
Acevedo said a uniformed Houston police sergeant was working an extra job at a building in the area when he saw a man pistol-whipping a person during a robbery. The sergeant confronted the man, who raised his gun, Acevedo said. The sergeant shot once and hit the man, Acevedo said.
“The suspect turned on the sergeant and raised his semi-automatic pistol at him. The sergeant discharged one round at the suspect. The suspect then ran,” Acevedo said.
Witnesses saw the suspect pull off his jacket and throw his pistol into a nearby storm sewer before getting into a waiting car. He turned up a short time later at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
“We believe the suspect transported by unknown parties to the hospital, to Hermann Memorial. We believe that suspect who has been struck by the one shot is in surgery,” Acevedo said.
Police are not releasing the name or condition of the suspect.
The sergeant was not injured. He’s been placed on administrative leave while the case is under investigation.
The condition of the victim is unknown because the victim fled the scene when the sergeant opened fire, Acevedo said.
Acevedo said anyone who may have witnessed the crime is asked to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.