Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media
FILE: Pictured are the lights atop a Houston Police Department patrol vehicle.
A man was fatally shot by police in South Houston early Monday afternoon, according to the Houston Police Department.
Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office were attempting to execute a warrant for a parole violation for a man when he barricaded himself inside a house in the 6000 block of Belarbor Street, according to HPD, which said its assistance was requested from DPS and the constable’s office at approximately 10:25 a.m.
HPD Assistant Chief James Skelton, speaking at a Monday afternoon news conference, said the department’s SWAT team arrived on scene with negotiators shortly after.
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“The negotiators from the attorney general’s office started negotiations with our suspect,” Skelton said. “This lasted for approximately one-and-a-half hours with no avail. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the suspect exited his residence with a high-powered rifle. Unfortunately, our SWAT officer had to fire because the suspect fired at our officer.”
The man allegedly walked out of the home holding an assault rifle and fired at least one shot, according to police, which said the man was then shot and killed by an HPD SWAT officer. The man, identified by police as a 36-year-old Black man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Skelton said the officer who shot and killed the man is a 16-year police veteran.
Skelton did not provide details about the nature of the warrant against the man who was shot, who was not named by police.
HPD will release body-worn camera footage from officers involved in the shooting within 30 days, as required by the department’s policy, according to Skelton.