HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a suspect was shot and killed by a county sergeant on Friday afternoon.
According to Gonzalez, deputies were called to a Dollar General in the 2000 block of FM 1960 in response to a shoplifting in progress.
In a news conference on Friday night, investigators said the caller had indicated that a man had pushed the manager and grabbed several items before running away.
Deputies responded to the call and said the Harris County Sheriff’s Office sergeant had spotted the suspect south of the store.
He then began to chase him on foot.
“[The sergeant] encountered him just south of the location on Kuykendahl not far from the original scene. The deputy then engaged in a short foot pursuit, approximately 100 yards before the deputy caught the suspect and that’s when the physical altercation ensued between the deputy and the suspect,” Sgt. Jason Brown said.
Witnesses said they saw the chase which ended in an intense fight.
When authorities arrived, officials said the sergeant attempted to take the suspect into custody.
“The officer was chasing him and telling him to stop and things and that’s when he shot him with a taser,” one witness, Anita Becerra, said.
“The deputy was fighting with the suspect who was resisting arrest,” Brown said.
Deputies said the scene ended in the 15000 block of Kuykendahl Road.
“During this altercation, the sergeant attempted to tase the suspect with a Taser. The suspect was able to gain control of the Taser from the sergeant. After the suspect gained control of the Taser, the sergeant discharged his firearm one time, striking and killing the suspect,” Brown said.
Authorities say the man was in between his 40s and 50s, and also had a criminal history.
Becerra said the suspect was a regular who hung out in the area and was always friendly.
Deputies said the sergeant will be placed on five days of administrative leave and go through a medical and psychological evaluation and then see the major of the bureau who will decide if the sergeant is fit to return to work.
Gonzalez said a full and thorough investigation will be done, involving the Homicide Division, HCSO Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The Harris County DA’s office is also doing a parallel investigation.
Once fully investigated, the case will then go to a grand jury.
Deputies said they are trying to notify next of kin and have not released the identity of the suspect.
@HCSOTexas unit responded to a call for service at a retail store located at 2004 W FM 1960. Preliminary info: one of our sergeants began taking a male into custody, when the male took control of the sergeant’s taser. The sergeant discharged his pistol, striking the male. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/fJyUif2Rbc
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 8, 2022