SWAT standoff ends with person of interest in custody

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A person of interest in a murder and home invasion is in custody after barricading himself inside a east Houston motel.

Houston police responded to the Interstate Motor Lodge, located at 13213 East Freeway, just before 3pm Monday. When they arrived, authorities found 18-year-old Julius Merchant armed and hiding inside the room.

According to HPD, Merchant is a person of interest in a home invasion that happened Sunday morning in the 600 block of Ettrick Drive. During the home invasion, a woman was pistol-whipped and another male victim shot to death.

Information about the whereabouts of Merchant lead investigators to the Interstate Motor Lodge.

Merchant is wanted for a felony evading arrest charge, which is why HPD released his name.

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