HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities are looking for two suspects in connection to the shooting of a Harris County deputy on Saturday, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Early Saturday, a deputy was shot by a suspect, who was allegedly breaking into vehicles with other people. The suspect was injured after the deputy fired back, deputies said.
The deputy is in good condition, and he was taken to Memorial Hermann-Northeast Hospital. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the deputy has since been released from the hospital.
Update to Cold River/Cactus Bend scene: our deputy was released from the hospital this morning; he’s in good condition.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) December 23, 2023
The juvenile suspect (16) is in fair condition. He is charged with Aggravated Assault on Public Servant and Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. #HouNews https://t.co/pJiFQb0ywx
Related: Suspect shot by off-duty deputy who broke up argument at NW Harris County bar
A few hours after the incident, a Pct. 4 deputy found a stolen vehicle, and the suspect fled from the area. The car was originally near Cactus Bend Drive, where the deputy was shot.
Authorities set up a perimeter in the 17900 block of Timber Forest Drive to search for the suspect, but they have left the scene. The suspect has not been arrested.
What happened
At about 2 a.m., the sheriff’s office was called to the 2400 block of Cactus Bend after a group of suspects was accused of possibly breaking into vehicles.
When deputies arrived, they met with the people who made the initial call.
Deputies then began searching for the suspects in their vehicle.
They later found a few men who matched the suspects’ description, and as the deputy got out of his vehicle, one man shot him in the arm.
The deputy then fired back hitting that suspect.
The two other suspects fled the scene, and authorities are still looking for them.
“(It’s a) very scary situation that transpired out here. Again, we’re glad our deputy is OK. It’s very frustrating to know that people are out here right before Christmas breaking into vehicles,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
The suspect, who was injured, was taken to a local hospital and is in fair condition. The suspect, said to be 16-years-old, is charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and burglary of a motor vehicle.
The deputy was in good condition and has since been released from the hospital.
“Checked on our deputy at the hospital; he’s in good spirits and in good condition,” Gonzalez said.
The neighborhood is blocked off as well as Atascocita Road due to the investigation. The deputy and suspects have not been identified.
There was a second shooting involving a deputy on Saturday in northwest Harris County. The deputy was not injured, but the suspect was taken to the hospital.