ATASCOCITA, Texas – An off-duty Harris County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man who authorities say tried to get in the deputy’s vehicle while his baby was strapped in a child seat in the back.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened in the 5300 block of Treewood Drive at around 2:45 p.m. after getting a 911 call from the off-duty deputy who said he had someone at gunpoint. Shortly afterwards, gunshots were heard on the call.
@HCSOTexas Detectives are responding to the 5300 block of Treewood Drive (Humble). Preliminary: an off-duty HCSO deputy discharged his firearm, striking a subject. No injuries to our deputy, the wounded man has been transported to a hospital in critical condition. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/XfR9i8Ngdg
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) October 31, 2025
According to Maj. Ben Katrib, the off-duty deputy had just secured his child in a child seat in the backseat when an unknown man approached the vehicle, trying to get in.
The deputy made multiple commands to the man for him not to get in the vehicle, but the man ignored the commands.
Katrib said when the man opened the vehicle’s door, fearing for the safety of his child, the deputy fired multiple rounds at the man.
The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man who died, lives about a block away from where the shooting happened, but investigators say they do not know each other.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with the man’s mother. She said her son, 27-year-old Darrius Williams, struggled with schizoaffective disorder for years.
“The mental health system is set up for failure. It is not helpful to the patient, nor is it helpful to caregivers,” said Tieneeshia Williams.
She took him to the psychiatric center on Sunday, but he was released. She said he was arrested on a warrant on Tuesday after he was seen walking into traffic. Once he was back home, she notified law enforcement yesterday.
“I told them he’s talking to himself. He’s agitated. He’s doing push-ups in the street. He’s jogging. He thinks he’s in the army. He’s done a lot of aggressive moves and tactics but not harming anyone so they can’t do anything about. I said I just wanted to be documented so that an officer will not approach him thinking that he is trying to be violent or harm somebody,” said Willaims.
Authorities are investigating the shooting and the case will go before a grand jury.