Texas deputies shoot man whose home they’ve been to 54 times this year

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. A man was shot by deputies in northwest Harris County after lunging at them with a knife.

2. The man has a history of interactions with law enforcement. Deputies have responded to calls at his address 54 times this year.

3. A crisis team was called, but the situation escalated before their arrival.

4. A Harris County deputy fired one shot hitting the man who is now hospitalized in serious condition.

A Houston area man has been shot after lunging at deputies with a knife.

They’ve been to the man’s home 54 times just this year, according to the sheriff.

Deputies showed up this time because the man was reportedly attempting to break into a neighbor’s home. At some point during the encounter, the suspect charged toward a deputy with a large knife. One deputy shot him.

• DJ Mister Cee, ‘legendary’ New York City disc jockey, dead at 57

The man was hit in the torso and flown to a local hospital in serious condition.

No deputies were hurt.

BACK TO THE SAME HOUSE 54 TIMES

Tommy Diaz, the assistant chief at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said when police showed up this time, they found broken glass from cars and a house in the area upon arrival.

“Deputies have been to this area before, and they were familiar with the suspect,” Diaz said. “They have actually responded to calls for service 54 times this year at this particular address.”

• 10 things to remember about O.J. Simpson

The 54 calls between January 1 and April 10 were for a plethora of disturbances, ranging from mental health episodes to aggravated assaults. Some of the calls were made from the suspect himself.

On the day he was shot, officers received consent to enter his property when he barricaded himself in a bathroom with a knife. A crisis team was called, but the situation escalated before that team got there.

• Convicted murderer charged in two new Texas killings offers to return to prison in plea

“The suspect exited the bathroom, producing a large knife,” Diaz said. “At that particular point, he threatened a deputy’s life and took a lunging motion towards the deputy. A second deputy discharged his firearm one time, striking the suspect one time.”