HOUSTON, TX – A teenager was hospitalized after an exchange of gunfire with Houston police officers last night.
Around 9:43 p.m., officers observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction in the 3700 block of Liberty Street. As officers in a marked patrol car approached, two young men fled on foot.
One of the officers noticed that one of the fleeing suspects had a handgun in his waistband. During the pursuit, the officer briefly detained the armed suspect, but he escaped after a struggle. While running, the suspect turned and fired at least twice at the officers. An officer returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times in the upper torso.
Officers administered first aid at the scene, including the use of a tourniquet and blood-clotting agents. The injured teen, believed to be 15 or 16 years old, was transported to a hospital and was last reported to be in stable condition.
The second suspect fled on foot as officers stopped to provide first aid to the wounded suspect. A handgun belonging to the suspect was also recovered at the scene.
According to department policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. Body-worn camera footage will be reviewed, and a critical incident report is expected to be released within 30 days.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
