‘He’s a hero in my book:’ Houston police officer shot while responding to home invasion in Spring Branch; 3 arrested

HOUSTON – A Houston police officer had a close call Tuesday morning after he was shot while responding to a home invasion in Spring Branch. Three people have been arrested.

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Chief J. Noe Diaz with the Houston Police Department said during a news conference it happened at a home in the 7100 block of Alderney Dr. and Antoine Dr. off I-10 just miles from Memorial Park.

That’s when two young men dressed as delivery drivers knocked on the front door and forced their way inside.

A neighbor saw the suspicious situation and alerted authorities. The 911 call was dropped around 9:40 a.m. and police officers got there in under five minutes, Chief Diaz confirmed.

When responding officers arrived (a two-person operation), they found the home’s door was wide open and a young woman and two children—ages 3 and 1—were inside. The mother’s wrists had been zip-tied, and the two men were attempting to rob the home at gunpoint.

When one of the home invaders saw the cops, they shot at them and hit one of the officers.

The officer, who was shot in the thigh, was reported to be in “very good spirits,” Chief Diaz confirmed.

Tuesday afternoon, HPD released the identity of the officer who was shot. They also confirmed that he was released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“He’s a hero in my book,” Chief Diaz said.

Both men at the scene were detained and later taken into custody.

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The chief said the department suspected that there was a third person involved because a white SUV was spotted fleeing near the scene. That third suspect was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon.

One of the perpetrators was seen on our Sky 2 chopper.

Chief Diaz described the suspected invaders as two men in their 20s. It’s unclear why they went out to this specific home, in other words, if the home was targeted.

The mother and children in the home were unharmed and Chief Diaz said they might have been saved in part due to the neighbor’s quick actions.

Moments after the shooting occurred Chief Diaz said Houston Mayor John Whitmire was briefed on what happened.

Officers are continuing their investigation and are asking anyone with additional information on what happened to call them or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).