A Harris County Precinct 4 corporal was murdered while he was on his way to work Tuesday.
The corporal has been identified as Maher Husseini, who had been with Precinct 4 since 2021 and had just been promoted last week.
The suspected shooter is in custody after being tracked to the Galveston area, where he drove his car into the water near the causeway, was rescued and arrested.
KPRC 2′s Robert Arnold spoke with Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, who said Husseini stopped at a red light at the intersection of Richmond Ave. and Fondren Rd. while driving his personal vehicle, when the gunman got out of his car walked up and began shooting into Husseini’s SUV. The shooting was reported around 12:45 p.m.
After shooting at the corporal and running away, a Houston Police Department source said the gunman returned and shot Husseini again before leaving the scene.
Constable Herman said he wasn’t sure if Husseini was wearing his full uniform, but he had his uniform pants and gun belt at the time of the shooting.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire extended condolences to Husseini on behalf of the city in a Facebook post.
Officials with HPD said they received a 911 call from a witness who said they saw the shooting take place. A motive for the shooting has not been confirmed, but a source said it could potentially be an instance of road rage.
The murder and the corporal’s identity were first announced on the precinct’s Facebook page:
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones released the following statement following the announcement of Husseini’s death:
“We are saddened by the tragic and senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a Precinct 4 deputy constable today. Our prayers are with the deputy’s family and our entire law enforcement community. We stand ready to assist and look forward to the swift administration of justice.”
Constable Herman went to Ben Taub Hospital in southern Houston to be with the fallen corporal and his family. KPRC 2 sources reported that there was a growing law enforcement presence at the hospital after the shooting.
KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry reported that Husseini’s body was transported to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. He added that his fellow officers were seen wiping away tears as they left the hospital.