1 week Ago
HOUSTON — A teenager is recovering in the hospital after being shot by a police officer during a confrontation late Thursday night that started with an alleged drug transaction, according to Houston police . This started just before 10 p.m.
on Liberty Road just east of the Eastex Freeway in northeast Houston. Police said two officers spotted what appeared to be a drug deal between two individuals. When officers approached in their patrol car, both suspects ran, leading officers to chase them on foot while repeatedly ordering them to stop.
During the chase, police said one officer attempted to detain one of the suspects. However, the suspect, identified as a 15- to 16-year-old boy, broke free after a struggle. As he ran, police said the teen began shooting at the officer.
The officer fired back, striking the teen. “They immediately administered first aid, which included a tourniquet and blood clotting agent, which secured the young man,” HPD Chief Noe Diaz said. Police confirmed the teen was taken to the hospital for treatment.
His condition has not been disclosed. The second suspect escaped and remains on the run. Authorities are actively searching for him.
Here is what the police chief said at the scene: The officer who shot the teen was placed on administrative leave per department policy, while they investigated the shooting. “The officer is going through his normal walk-through at the district attorney’s office as well. Our homicide is here working through the investigation.
The officer will be put on administrative leave as required by policy and we’ll work through the body-worn camera footage,” the police chief said. The chief also says that the same body-worn camera video will be released to the community in the next 30 days..
