HOUSTON — Several teenagers are in custody after a high-speed chase ended in southwest Houston Wednesday evening, according to police.
Lt. Larry Crowson with the Houston Police Department said the investigation started on Tuesday when police received reports near Wisdom High School regarding a white vehicle driving around the area and firing shots into the air.
At one point, police said there was a shot fired at the bus stop at Richmond Avenue and Unity Drive. Crowson said a 16-year-old got a shrapnel in his cheek.
In response, crime suppression officers surged in the area Wednesday afternoon. They received a report that a dark-colored pickup truck was firing shots.
"We're not sure if they were shooting at somebody or in the air, but the officers started checking the area and they located that vehicle," Crowson said.
The truck was moving when it was spotted. Police called in resources, including a helicopter, and attempted to stop the truck.
The driver refused to stop and led police on a chase around the area that eventually ended up near the Westpark Tollway and Highway 59.
At that point, Crowson said officers did a pit maneuver, causing the driver to lose control and strike a fence at a church.
"Four suspects jumped out of the truck. Officers took 3 suspects into custody after a short foot pursuit. One suspect ran from the officers. An officer caught up with him. A security officer here for the church got out to help the officer arrest that suspect," Crowson said.
According to Crowson, there was a fight with that suspect. During that fight, the suspect "overpowered" the security officer and the police officer. The suspect then jumped into the security officer's car and drove away.
"The officer and the security officer tried to get him out of the car. They were both dragged a few feet. They got some minor cuts and scrapes. We believe they're going to be OK," Crowson said.
Crowson said another pursuit ensued with their helicopter. The security officer's vehicle was later found abandoned in an apartment complex.
When officers started reviewing surveillance video from the church, they found out that a fifth suspect hid under the seat inside the truck, waiting until officers were busy and then ran to a playground behind the church.
"The officers went over there, set up a perimeter, and he tried to run away again and was taken into custody," Crowson said.
Crowson confirmed they have four suspects, believed to be 15 to 16 years old, in custody. One is at large. Police recovered two AR pistols and two regular pistols.
"I just want to say that the officers did a really good job out here. We potentially had a very dangerous situation," he said.
These suspects fired at least one shot near the area of the school Wednesday, according to Crowson.
"I don't know if they were shooting there or if they were shooting at people walking," he said.
Crowson said the two shootings from Tuesday came from a white car. At this point, police don't know if it's related.