GALVESTON, Texas – Law enforcement sources confirmed to KPRC 2 the identity of the man suspected of gunning down a Harris County Pct. 4 Corporal while he was on his way to work Tuesday.
The sources say the suspect is Athir Murady.
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Murady’s LinkedIn profile says he provides training services in security and driving. It also says he is a license to carry instructor.
Murady is currently at UTMB John Sealy Hospital in Galveston being treated after he was bitten by a police K9 while he was being taken into custody.
What happened?
Around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Harris County Pct. 4 Corporal Maher Husseini was on his way to work and was at a stoplight at the intersection of Richmond Ave. and Fondren Rd. in Houston.
At the same time, a gunman got out of his car, walked up, and began shooting into Husseini’s SUV. After shooting at the deputy and running away, a Houston Police Department source said the gunman returned and shot Husseini again before leaving the scene.
Husseini was taken to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Suspect captured
Around 5 p.m., KPRC 2 learned that the suspect in the case was tracked to Galveston and a chase ensued after a Galveston City Marshal spotted the suspect and his vehicle at a hotel.
When the suspect realized he had been spotted, he sped away in his vehicle, leading authorities on a short chase.
While in the area of the Causeway bridge, the suspect drove his vehicle into the water. He could be seen on Houston Transtar cameras swimming in the water before law enforcement brought a boat to pick him up.
According to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, the suspect was bitten by a police K9 as law enforcement worked to subdue him while he was resisting getting into the boat.
He was taken to an awaiting ambulance on a gurney and transported to the hospital.
Once he gets out of the hospital, Murady will be booked into the Galveston County Jail until he is extradited back to Harris County.