KINGWOOD, Texas – Authorities are trying to piece together what led up to a San Jacinto County deputy shooting a man in custody at a Kingwood hospital Monday night several times, killing him.
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It happened around 9 p.m. when Captain Hassig with the Houston Police Department said a deputy with San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office was monitoring an unidentified man, described only as a suspect, to HCA Houston Healthcare in Kingwood.
It’s unclear exactly how everything transpired, but Captain Hassig said the man was a hospital patient since Monday but it’s unclear what he was brought for initially or what he was previously arrested for.
At some point while the San Jacinto Co. deputy was monitoring the man, Cpt. Hassig said there was a fight inside the hospital room that led to a scuffle over the officer’s gun.
“The deputy who was watching him tonight was inside the room with the prisoner,” he explained. “An altercation ensued inside the room. There was a scuffle for the deputy’s gun, at which point the deputy was able to discharge his weapon a few times--striking the prisoner. Being at the hospital, aid was rendered immediately by personnel here, and unfortunately, that individual succumbed to his injuries and died.”
As part of a news release, the San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office shared additional details as to what happened, saying in part the man in custody tried to “distract the deputy.”
“The deputy had been assigned to guard an inmate who had been transported to the hospital for medical treatment following injuries sustained in an altercation the previous night. During the hospital stay, the inmate attempted to distract the deputy, leading to a physical struggle in which the inmate attempted to seize the deputy’s firearm. Fearing for his life, the deputy was forced to use deadly force to prevent the inmate from causing harm.”
Cpt. Hassig described the deputy as having 5 months with the San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office and the department is conducting an administrative investigation into what happened.
However, since the incident occurred in Houston, HPD’s Homicide Division is taking the lead on the investigation, along with the Texas Rangers to figure out everything and present what they’ve gathered to the Montgomery Co. District Attorney’s Office.
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Our cameras also caught up with the unidentified man’s sister, who told KPRC 2 she and her family were left with more questions than answers as they’re not being told everything that happened to her brother other than he was shot seven times.
“I’m feeling terrible,” she said. “All we need is answers.”
In a written statement, the San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office offered condolences to the man’s family while also asking for patience as the investigation is conducted.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic event,” the statement read. “We ask for patience and understanding as the investigation unfolds.”
