Houston police are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Highland Village on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. near the intersection of Drexl Drive and Westheimer.
According to officials, an officer on patrol observed a Black sedan parked in a lot after receiving several calls about the vehicle, which had a Black male inside. Upon running the vehicle’s license plate, the officer discovered it was reported stolen from Fort Bend County and subsequently called for backup.
When additional officers arrived, they instructed the approximately 35-year-old male occupant to exit the vehicle for further investigation. However, the suspect failed to comply with the commands issued by the authorities.
As officers began to approach the vehicle, the suspect opened the driver’s side door and allegedly made a movement that suggested he might be armed. This prompted the officers to discharge their weapons.
Once the shooting concluded, officers retreated and secured the area. A drone was deployed to assess the situation within the vehicle for any signs of movement. After ensuring the scene was safe, the suspect was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a hospital, where he is currently reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities reviewing body-worn camera footage from the incident. This footage is expected to be released within the next 30 days in accordance with departmental policy. Fortunately, no officers sustained injuries during the encounter.
However, several details about the incident remain unclear, including whether the suspect was indeed armed at the time of the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or the number of officers involved in the incident. The names of the officers engaged in the shooting are slated for release on Tuesday.
