HOUSTON — An alleged shoplifting suspect was shot overnight Saturday by a Houston Police Department officer at a Walmart near the Heights.
This happened at about 1 a.m. at the Walmart located at 111 Yale St.
The Houston Police Department said the officer, who has been identified as M. Cooper, stopped at Walmart to use the restroom. While inside, she was alerted by employees that a man was shoplifting.
HPD said Cooper saw the man leaving the store and she followed him, giving him several verbal commands to stop. The man refused to stop and as Cooper continued to follow him, the man turned around and then lunged towards her.
The man struck Cooper several times, according to HPD. The two then fell to the ground and that's when a store employee tried to pull the suspect off Cooper.
The man ran towards the employee and that's when Cooper was able to pull out her gun. HPD said Copper ordered the man to stop and that's when he swiped at the officer's gun and then lunged at her when she gave him another verbal command.
In fear of her life, Cooper shot the man in his left leg, HPD said.
Paramedics arrived on scene and took the man to a nearby hospital where he is expected to be okay.
Cooper was visibly shaken after the incident, but she was not injured, HPD said.
This investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the HPD Special Investigations Unit at 713-308-3600.
Check back for updates.
ALSO POPULAR ON KHOU.COM