A Houston police officer was killed and another wounded when gunfire erupted Tuesday morning while answering a call about a domestic dispute in the apartment apartment complex, officials said.
The three officers were dispatched at 8:15 a.m. local time at the complex in southwest Houston, said Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo. A woman was walking out of the apartment apartment she shared with a man and wanted to retrieve some of her belongings, but the door was locked, Chief Acevedo said at a news conference.
After talking with the woman for about an hour, the man’s 14-year-old son opened the door to the apartment. He saw his father armed and alerted officers, Chief Acevedo said.
“The suspect immediately stopped officers, shooting several rounds,” Chief Acevedo said.
Sergeant. Harold Preston, the 41-year-old veteran of the department, was shot several times, including in the head and shoulders, and had one bullet in his spine, Chief Acevedo said. Court Fischer Courtney, 35, who has been in the department for three years, was shot in the hand. A 14-year-old boy was also shot in the hand.
Both officers were taken to Memorial Herman-Texas Medical Center, where Sergeant Preston, 65, died of his injuries, surrounded by his family members, Chief Acevedo said. Officer Valer was expected to recover, officials said.
Police say the gunman, identified by Chief Asevedo as Elmer Manzano, tied himself up in the apartment for about an hour. An elderly woman also emerged from the apartment, officials said.
“We will probably charge this suspected murder,” said Chief Asevedo, of Mr. Manzano, 51.
At the news conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner thanked Sergeant Preston for his service to the department and the city.
“I want to thank him and celebrate his life of service and commitment and dedication to this city – he’s been a police officer with the city of Houston for almost 1 year,” Mr. Turner said. “I wish we could raise his family. I especially wish we could lift her young daughter. I wish we could lift her mom and her dad and other relatives and friends and loved ones. “
“Our hearts go out to the family of the Houston Police Sergeant,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement. Harold Preston who was shot and killed in the line of duty this morning. “This tragic loss is a serious reminder of the dangers facing our brave law enforcement officers while protecting our communities,” he added.
The shooting received a large response from police and the fire department at the Police Department complex, south of the hospital where Sergeant Preston died, and the home of the Houston Texans east of NRG Park.
Mr Manzano, who had gunshot wounds to his abdomen, was also taken to hospital, police said. The boy was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital.
“We have to reconcile what happened between the suspect, our officers and the young man who was shot,” Chief Acevedo said, adding that the boy was expected to make a full recovery.
Chief Acevedo said police were called to the apartment twice over the weekend. The woman wanted to get her things out of the apartment, “and unfortunately the door slammed shut and she wouldn’t let him in.” No charges were made as a result of those visits, he said.
