HOUSTON – A driver who was involved in a chase with Harris County deputies on the Katy Freeway Thursday has died, according to the Houston Police Department.
Police said as a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop the suspect -- who officials say was out on two felony bonds for deadly conduct and discharging of a firearm -- refused to pull over.
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Police said while the deputies chased the vehicle, it stopped abruptly on the left shoulder of the Katy Freeway near Mason Road. Police said as the deputy attempted to conduct the traffic stop, he saw the driver raise a gun at him. Police said the deputy fired a shot at the driver and when the deputy exited his vehicle, he heard a gunshot inside the suspect’s vehicle.
Police said two passengers got out of the suspect’s vehicle and were detained and questioned by deputies. Police said as deputies approached the vehicle, they saw a gun in the driver’s hand. Police said it appeared that the driver shot himself in the head. Police said the suspect was flown to a hospital via LifeFlight where he was pronounced dead.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect committed suicide after the stop and the deputy’s round did not strike the driver, police said.
This case is being investigated by the HPD’s Special Investigations Unit and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The deputy who fired the weapon was a 19-year veteran of the department and a supervisor assigned to District 4 patrol, KPRC 2 has learned.