Officer Shoots Man in the Back During Robbery Incident in Houston

The Houston Police Department reported that an officer shot a man in the back while fighting for his life during a robbery incident in northeast Houston. The incident took place near Liberty Road in the Fifth Ward on Sunday afternoon.

Robbery and Assault at Family Dollar Store

According to Executive Assistant Chief Ben Tien, the officer responded to a robbery at the Family Dollar store around 2:30 p.m. The suspect was accused of stealing beer from the store and allegedly assaulting a store clerk. Further details regarding the alleged assault were not immediately available.

Officer Confronts Suspect

Two police units were dispatched to the scene. As backup, a second officer noticed a man who he believed to be the suspect walking on Brewster Street and approached him alone. Witnesses, including 15-year-old Crishaud Fennix, stated that the man had beer in his hands.

The officer instructed the man to stop, but he ignored the command and ran towards a nearby field. A physical altercation ensued between the suspect and the officer in the field.

Shooting Incident

During the struggle, the suspect briefly managed to break free from the officer’s grasp. However, the officer quickly regained control and jumped on the suspect’s back, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

According to Fennix, who witnessed the incident, the officer shouted, “Let go of my Taser!” before pointing his gun at the suspect’s back. As the suspect attempted to get up and flee, the officer fired a single shot.

Neighbors captured the aftermath of the shooting on a cellphone video, where they can be heard stating that the suspect was overpowering the officer and reaching for his gun and Taser. They claimed that the officer shot the suspect in the back.

Injuries and Hospitalization

The suspect was transported to Ben Taub Hospital and underwent surgery on Sunday evening. The officer, out of caution, was also taken to the hospital for minor cuts and bruises but is expected to recover.

Officer’s Background and Suspect’s Description

Assistant Chief Tien revealed that the officer involved in the incident is in his twenties and has been with the Houston Police Department for two years.

Authorities described the suspect as a Black man in his 30s, believed to be homeless, and with a felony theft warrant.