South Houston standoff suspect in custody
A suspect was taken into custody on Friday following a standoff at his South Houston home. FOX 26’s Sherman Desselle shares what authorities and relatives of the suspect had to say at the scene.
HOUSTON – A man was taken into custody Friday after an hourslong standoff with law enforcement at an apartment complex on Alice Street, authorities said.
South Side Houston SWAT scene
What we know:
The incident began earlier Friday afternoon when deputies with the Precinct 7 Constable’s Office conducted a traffic stop after spotting a truck run a stop sign on La Salette Street, officials said.Â
The driver refused to stop and continued at a slow speed, heading south toward Yellowstone Boulevard and Scott Street.Â
Authorities said the man eventually pulled into an apartment complex on Alice Street near Tierwester, later determined to be his residence. Deputies set up a perimeter as the situation escalated and led the investigation.
Officials said the man had an extensive criminal history, including open warrants on two felony charges: assault on an officer and driving while intoxicated.Â
According to authorities, the suspect refused to exit and told deputies he would not return to jail. He also threatened to harm himself with a knife.Â
A SWAT team responded to the scene, and officers deployed specialized equipment, including a robot device, during the standoff.
Authorities said the man suffered two self-inflicted wounds to the chest and was taken to a hospital.Â
No other injuries were reported.
The standoff occurred near Cullen Middle School, but officials said no students or staff were harmed.
What we don’t know:
The suspect will not be identified until direct family members have been notified.
Details regarding his warrants are not available at this time.
What they’re saying:
A woman at the scene who identified herself as the man’s godmother said he has a history of mental health issues and was frightened because of his past and outstanding warrants.
Precinct 7 Lt. Ashton Johnson-Hall said a mental health unit was deployed because of the man’s history, adding that authorities used all available resources “to keep him alive.”
“Patience is what we implement first,” Lt. Ashton Johnson-Hall said. “We don’t want to rush. We want to take our time. If there’s something the suspect might need, we want to get the resources here to help him.”
What you can do:
If you or anyone you know is suffering from a mental crisis, here are some resources you can use for support:
The Source: Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office and suspect’s family members at the scene.