HOUSTON — The Harris County District Attorney's Office has accepted murder charges against Athir Murady, the man accused of killing Harris County Precinct 4 Corporal Maher Husseini earlier this week, a spokesperson told KHOU 11 Thursday morning.
Corporal Husseini was gunned down in southwest Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Now, multiple agencies are working together to bring justice to his accused killer.
Murady was already facing an evading arrest charge out of Galveston County after he was pulled from the bay following a chase. A K9 bit Murady in the police boat because officers said he resisted arrest when they rescued him. He was treated at a local hospital before being moved to the Galveston County Jail on Wednesday.
In an interview on Wednesday, Sgt. Nick Yeley with the Galveston City Marshal's Office told us he spotted the vehicle tied to Corporal Husseini's shooting death, setting off the wild scene that ended in Murady's arrest just off the Galveston Causeway.
“By chance, I happened to look over and I saw the exact vehicle that we were looking for down to the T, descriptors with the hubcaps missing and the sticker on the rear trunk and Michigan license plates. I said, 'Dad, I got to go,’” said Sgt. Nick Yeley with the Galveston Marhsal's Office. “And I tossed my phone and I grabbed my city phone and immediately contacted the Galveston Police Department."
Documents obtained by KHOU 11 Investigates show a man with the same name as the suspect was licensed as an armed security officer and personal protection officer here in Texas. He also held a wide variety of security training certifications and appears to have operated a private security business here in Texas.
Mustafa Abushalbak is an operations manager for Corporal Husseini's security company. He said they had interactions with Murady a year ago.
"He came to visit yeah because he tried to take business from us in Dallas in New Orleans," Abushalbak said. "He wanted to steal our business and came to apologize for it after. He apologized and he left 1 year ago. That's it."
On Wednesday, investigators met with the family of the corporal and his colleagues inside the business for hours.
Husseini's colleagues and friends are still trying to understand why this man would hurt the corporal, who they describe as a kind man who was always willing to help others.
"We are going to miss him forever. God will bless him, hopefully God will bless his soul," Abushalbak said.
Shooting death of Corporal Husseini
A Harris County Precinct 4 corporal was shot to death Tuesday afternoon in southwest Houston while driving to work, according to officials.
It happened at the intersection of Fondren Road and Richmond Avenue near the Westpark Tollway around 12:30 p.m.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said a man got out of his car and fired multiple gunshots into the vehicle of Corporal Maher Husseini.
Husseini was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital but he didn't survive.
After a citywide manhunt, Chief Diaz said the suspect's vehicle was spotted at a nearby hotel. The man jumped into his car and took off, leading officers on a chase that ended up in Galveston.
That's where the suspect lost control and drove into the water near the causeway at Channelview Drive and 81st Street. He got out of his vehicle and was captured in the water by officers in a police boat.
Police said a K9 secured him and bit him when he resisted arrest in the boat.
He was taken to the Galveston County Jail on Wednesday after getting checked out at a hospital. He was then set to be transferred to the Harris County Jail, where he now faces murder charges in Husseini's death.
"I want to thank the sheriff's office here, the Galveston Police Department, for the exceptional work," Chief Diaz said. "It's a sad day. We're just glad that, that we put an end to it now and hopefully, bring some closure to the family."
Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said he had just promoted Husseini to corporal last week. He'd been with Precinct 4 since 2021 and patrolled the South-Central District.
Husseini's wife was out of town and deputies went to Bush Airport Tuesday to meet her and deliver the news. The couple has two sons, ages 12 and 15, according to Husseini's brother.
"My main goal is to support our fallen deputy and his family," Herman said.
“There’s too many of these, we’re seeing too many of these,” Herman said. “There’s total chaos in our communities and we’ve got to get it fixed.”
Dozens of law enforcement officers lined the streets near Ben Taub late Tuesday afternoon to salute the fallen corporal and escort his body to the medical examiner's office.
If you have any information about the shooting, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS(8477) or HPD's Homicide Divison at 713 308-3600.
Local and state leaders share messages of support
After the death of Corporal Husseini, local and state leaders shared statements.
Gov. Greg Abbott
"The hearts of Texans are breaking today with the news that Harris County Deputy Constable Maher Husseini was shot and killed while on his way to work. The dangerous criminal who ambushed and murdered Deputy Constable Husseini will have the full weight of the law brought down upon him. Texas is a law and order state, and I will always defend the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect Texans. Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in lifting up in prayer the family and loved ones of Deputy Constable Husseini."
Harris Co. Judge Lina Hidalgo
"I am devastated by the loss of Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Maher Husseini, who was brutally shot and killed today while driving into work. Thank you to all of our law enforcement partners, including the Houston Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and Precinct 4, for working together to successfully bring the suspect into custody. I am so sorry for Deputy Constable Husseini’s family, his loved ones and his colleagues, who lost yet another member of their law enforcement family today.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire
“The city of Houston extends its condolences to the family of Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Maher Husseini. The deadly shooting was a senseless and cruel act against an individual who happens to be a member of law enforcement. Deputy Husseini was on his way to work at the time that he was shot and killed. He represented the best in law enforcement and selflessly dedicated years of his life to protecting and serving the public. I have complete confidence in Houston Police Department Chief Noe Diaz, Harris County Sheriff's Office and Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 as they work to identify and arrest the shooter. We ask anyone with information to please call HPD Homicide or @CrimeStopHOU. It is in everyone's best interest that we work together to make our community a safe place to live.”
Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey
"Today, we mourn the loss of yet another brave officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Constable Maher Husseini, his family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in blue. May he rest in peace, and swift justice be served for those responsible."