HOUSTON — Houston police said a suspect broke into an off-duty Precinct 1 deputy constable's home and shot his wife and stepdaughter.
It happened early Sunday morning at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of West Dallas Street.
According to HPD Chief Troy Finner, at about 2:20 a.m. the department received an "assist the officer" call after the suspect broke into the deputy constable's home and allegedly started shooting.
Finner said the suspect was carrying a shotgun and an assault rifle and started firing, hitting the deputy constable's wife in the leg and his 4-year-old stepdaughter in the arm.
Both were taken to their hospital for their injuries. The wife is going to be OK. The stepdaughter was in surgery, Finner said.
Finner said Houston police officers administered first aid to the deputy constable's wife and stepdaughter.
The deputy constable was able to grab his gun and fire back at the suspect. He said he thinks he hit the suspect, as there was a separate blood trail.
SWAT was called to the apartment complex because police thought the suspect was still on the property, but after a search, SWAT determined the suspect was not there.
Later Sunday, Houston police said they learned of the suspect's location in north Houston and attempted to pull him over, but the suspect opened fire on the officers. After crashing, police said, the suspect opened fire on the officers again. This time, the officers returned fire, hitting the suspect several times.
The suspect was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. Police said he has a history of mental health problems.