Houston police officer shoots burglary suspect

by Kevin Peters / 11 News

Posted on December 22, 2009 at 8:51 AM

Updated Tuesday, Dec 22 at 9:50 AM

HOUSTON—A Houston police officer shot a burglary suspect overnight.

Investigators said the suspect, who has yet to be identified by police, was in critical condition at Ben Taub Tuesday morning.

This all happened just after 10:30 p.m. Monday outside a home near the intersection of King and Winchell Streets in north Houston.

Police said it began with a phone call to 911. The homeowner returned to find a light on inside his house. Instead of going inside, he called police.

Two officers arrived moments later. One officer ran to the back of the home. That’s where police said he discovered 3 burglary suspects jumping out of the back window. Investigators said one of those suspects drew a gun and pointed it at the officer. The officer then pulled his own weapon and opened fire.

Police said the officer fired a couple of shots, but did not strike the suspect. Hearing the shots, the second officer ran toward the back of the home.

"So the officer in the front of the house met the suspect on the side of the house. He again identified himself as a police officer," said HPD spokesperson Jodi Silva. "The suspect turned towards him with a weapon, so the officer, in fear of his safety, discharged his weapon striking the suspect one time."

Police said the bullet struck the suspect in the chest.

Officers called in K-9 units to catch the remaining two suspects.