Houston officer opens fire at wanted man hiding in trash can

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer claimed he was forced to fire after a wanted man popped out of a trash can. This all started around 8pm on Sunday.

Investigators report a citizen started following a car wanted in connection to some crime. The citizen called police officers. Those on patrol noticed the vehicle on Airport Blvd on the south side.

Officers told Eyewitness News the car crashed near 3100 Airport Blvd and the driver and passenger ran off. HPD tracked them down to a house at 3100 Dacca Drive, just a few blocks over. When the police officers went looking for the men, he explained one of the them popped out of a trash can in the backyard. That's when the officer opened fire, saying he feared for his life.

Bullets missed the man in the trash can. Both he and his accomplice were arrested.