HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Two Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies were shot and a suspect was killed Tuesday night in northwest Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
According to authorities, the incident took place around 8 p.m. in the 6600 block of Amberfield Lane, which is near the intersection of Barker Cypress and W. Little York roads.
According to officials, HCSO deputies responded to the scene after receiving reports of shots being fired inside a home.
HCSO Chief Deputy Edison Toquica said a family member, possibly the suspect's brother, called 911.
When deputies arrived, authorities said, 43-year-old Alan Huaracha shot at the deputies, and the deputies returned fire. The deputies and Huaracha were struck. Huaracha was declared dead at the scene.
"They approached the residence as they were trained to. They were basically ambushed. They did what they were trained to do," Toquica said. "They discharged their weapons and hit the suspect. They did what they were supposed to do and they're alive because of that."
Authorities said the deputies did not sustain life-threatening injuries and are expected to be OK. Toquica said one officer was struck in the right leg and the other was hit in the leg and also suffered graze wounds to the head and ear. They were both reportedly stable at the hospital.
"When you get that call (that two of your deputies have been shot), it's gut-wrenching," Toquica said.
Gonzalez went to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where the deputies were taken, while command staff members and investigators were heading to the scene of the shooting.
On Tuesday, HCSO revealed the names of the deputies who were shot. They said Deputy Y, Martinez, 27, had been released from the hospital. He joined the Harris County Sheriff's Office in November 2017.
Deputy M. Delgado, 28, was scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday. He joined HCSO in July 2020.
On Tuesday night, Toquica said he was possibly was going through a mental episode at the time of the incident.
He said Huaracha was out on a PR bond for aggravated assault of a family member that happened in 2020.
This is the latest in a string of shootings in which officers have been shot in the Houston area.
"This is an ongoing issue. We see it every day. I want to commend our guys for doing an awesome job," Toquica said.