SPRING, Texas — Authorities in north Harris County are searching for a man who allegedly fired a gun at a woman’s home. Just moments before the shot was fired, the suspect knocked on the door and asked for someone who did not live there.
The incident happened this past weekend in Spring, according to Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman.
The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Thomas Bartlett. According to the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, Bartlett is currently wanted by law enforcement on a deadly conduct charge.
The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, told KHOU 11 News she’s still on edge after the strange ordeal.
“I’m still shaken, still very scared,” she said. “I’ve just spent hundreds of dollars on additional cameras, flood lights, motion sensors, just anything I can think of.”
The homeowner said she was at home Saturday night when she heard a knock at the door. Through her peephole, she saw a man in a white shirt and gray baseball cap.
On home surveillance video, the man explained to the homeowner: “Somebody invited me to this address named Lovely Queen.”
Speaking to us Wednesday, the homeowner said she did not recognize the man, nor was she familiar with a so-called ‘Lovely Queen.’
She explained that she repeatedly asked the man to leave.
“I said sir, I’m not going to open the door, but I’m telling you you’re at the wrong house. I said if this is going to be an issue, I will call the police. He then said call them,” she said.
After that exchange, the homeowner said she called 911 and described the suspect to law enforcement. Just a few minutes later, the man can be seen walking away -- then a gunshot can be heard on home surveillance video.
The video shows a car driving away, just moments after the shot is fired.
“I immediately heard a gunshot and it echoed through my home, “ the homeowner said. “At that point, I didn’t know if the shots would keep firing.”
The homeowner said she later learned the shot had been fired through her garage door. A bullet lodged itself in the wall of her garage, just feet away from her bathroom and bedroom.
“I want justice to be served and I want people to be aware of situations like this,” she said. “Please do not answer the door for strangers under any circumstances, don’t even engage with them. Just call 911, or a friend or neighbor.”
If you have information about Bartlett’s whereabouts, you’re asked to call Pct. 4 dispatch or your local law enforcement.