HOUSTON, TX – A man is recovering in the hospital after being shot by police officers responding to a hit-and-run incident in southwest Houston early Tuesday morning. The confrontation occurred at the intersection of Hillcroft and Richmond Avenue, where the suspect was seen brandishing a firearm, according to authorities.
Witnesses reported that the incident began when a sedan collided with a dark-colored SUV, which quickly left the scene. Bystanders approached the sedan to check on the driver, who appeared agitated and was waving a gun, prompting concerns for public safety.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the sequence of events, showing the sedan rear-ending the SUV before the latter drove off. Approximately eight minutes later, Houston police arrived at the scene. Officers approached the suspect to assess the situation, and it was then that he emerged from his vehicle holding a firearm.
Despite repeated commands from the officers to drop the weapon, the man, believed to be in his 40s, refused to comply. Police noted that he turned towards them with the gun still in hand, leading them to open fire. The suspect was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment. No officers were injured in the incident.
Houston Police Department officials have not yet confirmed whether the suspect discharged his weapon during the encounter. However, body camera footage from the officers involved will be made public within 30 days, in accordance with department policy, to provide clarity on the situation.
Investigators suspect that alcohol or another form of impairment may have played a role in the suspect’s behavior, though testing is still pending. Meanwhile, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty as the investigation continues.
Authorities are actively seeking additional witnesses to the event, particularly the driver of the SUV, to gather more information. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact Houston police.