Off-duty officer shoots man trying to break into home on Houston's south side

HOUSTON – Houston police are investigating a shooting Monday involving one of their own.  An off-duty sergeant opened fire around 4 a.m. after police said a suspect tried to break into his home.

According to investigators, Sgt. H. Preston, a 39-year veteran with the Houston Police Department, and his family were awakened just before 12:30 a.m. by a man banging on the front door of their home.

Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said the officer grabbed his gun and yelled at the man.

"The sergeant armed himself and came to door yelling several commands, 'Who are you?' 'What do you want?'" Acevedo said. "The suspect ignored commands and questions and kept pounding on the door."

The man then broke the glass on the door and the officer shot several rounds from inside the home, Acevedo said. The man was shot at least once.

The man, identified as Patrick Jenkins, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and to surgery, Acevedo said.

He is expected to be OK.

Jenkins, 36, has a pending charge of burglary, according to police.

Preston, his parents and aunt, who all live in the home, were not injured. He is currently assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division and has been with HPD since 1979.

The incident remains under investigation by Special Investigations Unit and Internal Affairs.

The officer has been placed in restricted administrative leave, Acevedo said.