HOUSTON, Texas – The man accused of gunning down Harris County Deputy Constable Maher Husseini on Tuesday has now been officially charged with murder, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Athir Murady was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Galveston, just hours after the deadly shooting. Investigators said they tracked him down at a hotel, but when he realized authorities had spotted him, he fled in his vehicle, prompting a short pursuit by officers.
Murady then drove his vehicle into the waters near Causeway Bridge before he was caught by authorities on a boat and arrested.
Galveston prosecutors charged Murady with evading arrest and a judge ordered a mental health evaluation for the suspect. Murady asked for a doctor and a court-appointed attorney in that case.
What Happened?
Around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Harris County Pct. 4 Corporal Husseini was on his way to work when he stopped at a stoplight at the intersection of Richmond Ave. and Fondren Road.
While waiting for the light to turn, investigators said a gunman, believed to be Murady, got out of his vehicle, 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.