HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after a suspect accused of smashing a woman’s windshield was killed in an officer-involved shooting in northwest Houston Tuesday, according to the Houston Police Department.
Officers responded to a disturbance with a weapon call in the 7600 block of Long Point Road in the Spring Branch area around 7:55 a.m.
According to HPD Executive Chief Matt Slinkard, when officers arrived at the scene, they were told that an “aggressive panhandler” smashed the windshield of a female driver with a flagpole. The woman was able to get away from the suspect, police said.
Police said officers tried to talk to the suspect but he pulled out a knife. The suspect then approached an officer, and that officer shot him, Slinkard said.
Other responding officers reportedly rendered aid to the suspect, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said.
Slinkard said the officer that shot the man, who reportedly asked for help, is a one-year HPD veteran. Investigators are unsure how many shots were fired during the incident.
No officers were injured in the incident, police said.
While police believe the man was shot once, officers said a window at a nearby McDonald’s was shattered from the shooting.
Investigators said they are looking at nearby surveillance video and plan to interview witnesses as they further investigate the incident.
The officer has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
HPD commanders & PIO are en route to an officer-involved shooting at 7699 Long Point Rd.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) October 25, 2022
Prelim info is officers responded to a disturbance with weapon call about 7:55 am. An HPD officer discharged a weapon at a suspect, who is deceased at the scene. No officers hurt.#hounews pic.twitter.com/6tHdXBGzWo