HOUSTON — An officer was injured and a carjacking suspect was killed in a shootout Saturday after a brief chase ended on the Southwest Freeway, according to the Houston Police Department.
This all started at about 10 a.m. when an officer spotted a vehicle that was taken in a carjacking Friday.
HPD Chief Troy Finner said the officer followed the stolen vehicle without using sirens or emergency equipment, but when the suspect noticed the officer, he sped off and a chase began.
The suspect drove northbound on the Southwest Freeway and as he approached the 610 Loop, he crashed into multiple vehicles, Finner said. The suspect attempted to carjack two people after he crashed out and as he shot at officers, at least three returned fire, hitting the suspect multiple times, Finner said.
"He got out of the vehicle and officers got out," Finner said. "He engaged and shot one of our officers."
The entire incident was caught on camera by Vincent Wong.
In the video, you can see the suspect limping away after being shot, and you can also see the officer who was shot being carried to safety by multiple other officers and good Samaritans.
"There's one citizen out there who has had some trouble with law enforcement in his life," Finner said. "But today, he and a few other citizens, along with our officers, when that officer went down, they pulled him to safety."
That injured officer was taken to Memorial Hermann where he is expected to survive his injuries, Finner said.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital where he died.
Finner said the injured officer is 29 years old and is a 5-year veteran with HPD. He has a 20-month-old baby, Finner said.
The officers who discharged their weapons will be placed on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation.
The Southwest Freeway near 610 was shut down for more than nine hours as police worked to clear the scene.
Watch the update Chief Finner gave at the hospital: