HOUSTON — An officer shot and killed a robbery suspect Thursday in Houston's East End, according to authorities.
According to the Houston Police Department, the shooting happened just after 5 p.m. along Eastwood Street near Brady Street.
HPD Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite said police first responded to reports of a robbery at an insurance agency on Harrisburg Boulevard. A few minutes later, police were called to respond to another nearby robbery at Magnolia's Ice Cream & More on Brady Street. Employees there could be seen talking to investigators throughout the night.
"One of my employees told me we were being robbed and a first I didn't believe him but to my surprise he came to corner and showed us his gun," said Maddy Garza, a manager at the shop.
Garza explained that the suspect was masked and spoke to her in Spanish. She said he brandished his gun and demanded that she give him money.
"My concern was just the safety of my employees and the people that were around me if there were any customers inside too," she said.
Satterwhite said the suspect got away on a scooter and took cash from both locations but no one was injured.
Officers then looked for the suspect along Eastwood Street near Brady Street. Satterwhite explained that one officer spotted him and chased the man on foot. When that officer ultimately approached the suspect, he gave verbal commands for him to stop. Then, the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the officer, according to HPD.
A 30-year HPD veteran officer returned fire, hitting the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers said they found a pistol by the suspect's body. No one else was injured in the shooting.
The suspect is believed to be responsible for at least five other robberies in the area recently, according to HPD. He is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s.
The officer who returned fire was placed on administrative duty and his bodycam video will be released within 30 days. Satterwhite said the officer was familiar with the area in which the shooting happened.