1. Off-duty HCSO deputy killed in shootout with suspects attempting to steal catalytic converter from grocery store parking lot: Sheriff
An off-duty Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy has died after he was shot while trying to stop suspects from stealing his catalytic converter during a trip to the grocery store Thursday night, according to officials.
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Authorities say the shooting happened in north Harris County in a grocery store parking lot on 2929 FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield.
According to officials, two or three suspects were outside attempting to steal the deputy’s catalytic converter when the incident began.
The deputy, who has been identified as Deputy Darren Almendarez, tried to stop them before they exchanged gunfire. Officials said Almendarez returned fire but was ultimately struck by a bullet. He was later pronounced dead at Houston Northwest Hospital.
2. Former deputy who responded to Santa Fe H.S. shooting sues ex-employers, says they ‘failed to help him deal with trauma’
A former deputy in Galveston County filed a lawsuit last week against the sheriff’s office and the Texas City Independent School District, claiming the two agencies failed to help him deal with trauma following the tragic Santa Fe High School shooting where 10 individuals were fatally shot.
According to the lawsuit filed on March 23, Brent Cooley is seeking between $200,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
Sheriff’s Office lawsuit
According to documents, Cooley led a team of deputies into the high school on March 18, 2018, immediately following the shooting. He also reportedly helped make the initial arrest of Dimitrious Pagourtzi, the teenage shooter accused of killing eight students and two teachers, and injuring 13 others.
3. ‘Walking, ticking time bomb’: Anger, frustration after man accused of 2 murders, robberies across various counties posts $1M bond
Crime Stoppers and the families of two men who were murdered in 2021 are rallying together to warn the community about the release of the suspect accused in their deaths, in addition to committing several other crimes across three counties. In total, Devan Kristopher Jordon, 21, has managed to come up with enough cash for collective bonds totaling $1,650,000, causing frustration from those who feel he should not be out on the streets.
Jordon was released Wednesday on a $1,000,000 bond from the Galveston County Jail, charged in the shooting death of Jeffrey Johnson, a yacht company owner. He was charged in several other extremely violent crimes leading up to Johnson’s death, leaving many to question why he was allowed to roam free.
“In all my years of being involved with the criminal justice system, I have never seen a defendant charged with multiple capital murder cases in different counties actually allowed to bond out. Considering that the defendant has a prior criminal history and has repeatedly violated his bond conditions, this defies logic,” said Crime Stoppers Director of Victim Services Andy Kahan. “Needless to say, the victim’s family is beyond irate and frustrated. The public needs to be warned that this defendant is back out in the community and based on his track record, someone will more than likely pay the price.”
4. Former Langham Creek HS teacher charged for sexual relationship with student after parents find texts, ‘hickies’ on son’s neck, police say
Two Langham Creek High School teachers are now in question after they allegedly both had improper relations with their students.
Sarah Suggs
Former English teacher Sarah Noel Suggs was charged by police after investigators said she slept with one of her male students.
The 47-year-old was charged with sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age. Suggs has been employed with the district since 2005.
Megan Weaver
As KPRC 2 began to collect the facts in Suggs’ case, an anonymous tip led to reporters finding out another teacher from Langham Creek High School was recently placed on leave for also having inappropriate relations with a student.
5. Sweeny ISD teen recovering after reportedly being hit by school administrator’s vehicle on campus
A mother is taking legal action after she says her son was hit by an administrator at Sweeny Junior High School.
Latoya Sharkey said the incident could have been much worse.
“The injuries he sustained. I was speechless, but God is good. He is a strong kid,” Sharkey said.
Her son, Erik Massey is traumatized but doing a lot better. He spent his 17th birthday at the hospital, and on Thursday, he had to see a trauma specialist at UT Physicians in Houston.
“I think about it every single day,” Massey said. “It’s something I try to forget. But I can’t. It’s hard.”
Erik Massey said he’s just grateful to be alive.