Officer opens fire on suspect during bank robbery in NW Harris County

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An off-duty officer opened fire on suspects during a bank robbery in northwest Harris County Thursday afternoon.

It happened at the Chase Bank in the 19700 block of Highway 249 at Cypresswood. About four employees and four customers were inside the bank at the time of the robbery, but none of them were injured.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the off-duty officer at the scene was a bank customer who just happened to be there.

"He actually saw the three suspects sitting in a vehicle -- saw them, looked at them and walked in, and then a few seconds later is when the three entered the building armed and ordered everyone to the floor and began to rob the bank," Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Thomas Gilliland said.

That's when the officer intervened.

"There was an exchange of gunfire between the two subjects at least and the officer," Gilliland said.

The suspects dispersed in the parking lot, but one was caught. The officer thinks he might have injured one of two suspects who got away.

"The officer was pretty determined that he did shoot the suspect. He did see the suspect wince and cross over at the stomach line and then continue running," Gilliland said.

Area hospitals have been put on alert for anyone with injuries resembling a gunshot wound. For now, the search for the suspects continues.

"We don't know if they're still armed, if they've ditched their guns," Gilliland said.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are investigating.

We're following this breaking story and will post any new information as we get it.