PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Houston Police Department says two men were wounded after being shot by officers who were trying to take a wanted suspect into custody in Prairie View Tuesday.
It happened at 45200 US 290 in the City of Prairie View in Waller County
HPD Commanders & PIO are en route to an officer involved shooting in the 45200 block of U.S. 290 (Prairie View).
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 9, 2024
Prelim info is officers discharged their weapon at 2 armed suspects. Suspects' condition unknown. No officers were injured.
More info at the scene.#HouNews pic.twitter.com/iTdgtICBkN
Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite with HPD said officers had been looking for the suspect who was wanted for several felonies and had also been linked to a murder. Satterwhite said information they received led officers to the location in Prairie View where they found the suspect in a white Dodge Charger. Another man and woman were also in the car with the suspect.
Satterwhite says officers came up with a plan to try and safely bring the suspect into custody. They moved up in a marked patrol vehicle while two other unmarked vehicles pinned the Charger in.
At this time, Satterwhite said the suspect and the other man who was in the vehicle got out of the car, pulled out guns, and began shooting at the officers, striking the marked patrol vehicle as well as one of the unmarked vehicles.
HPD released photos of the unmarked vehicle which was struck by gunfire.
This is our unmarked vehicle that was struck by the suspect gunfire.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 10, 2024
Fortunately, our officers were not injured. #HouNews https://t.co/FDR9t1vj0G pic.twitter.com/zcxbBjiRHi
Satterwhite said one of the two men also had a pistol which had been modified to shoot fully automatic.
Two officers returned fire and struck both suspects. They were taken to a Houston hospital by medical helicopter and were last reported to be alive, but in serious condition. Neither of the officers were injured. The other woman inside the vehicle was also unhurt.
The suspect police were searching for was wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, deadly conduct, theft, and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Satterwhite didn’t have the suspect’s exact connection to a murder, but said he had been linked to one.
Satterwhite said one of the officers involved has been with HPD for five years while the other has been on the force for three years. They will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Texas Rangers will lead the investigation since it occurred in Waller County. The Waller County District Attorney’s Office will also be conducting their own investigation. HPD will also be investigating.