Deputies: Officer forced to shoot suicidal woman in north Harris County

by khou.com staff

Posted on January 24, 2010 at 12:03 PM

Updated yesterday at 2:20 PM

HOUSTON – A Harris County Deputy was forced to open fire on a young woman who was threatening to commit suicide and harm her family, according to authorities.

It happened on Casper at Hurlock in north Harris County.

Police said around 3:30 a.m., the deputy responded to the home to find a 21-year-old woman sitting on the couch with two guns pointed at her head.

Police said the young woman lived with her mother, teenage brother and an infant. The mother was still in the home, but the teen and the infant went next door for safety.

The officer tried to negotiate with the young woman to get her to drop the guns, but said she refused. The deputy said while he was negotiating with her, she suddenly turned her head and body toward her mother.

The deputy, in fear for the safety of the mother, opened fire.