HPD officers fatally shoot suspect after chase, standoff in southeast Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police officers fatally shot a suspected burglar in his vehicle in southeast Houston this morning.

Police say officers began pursuing the suspect shortly after 8am in the 14200 block of the Gulf Freeway. According to officials with the Houston Police Department, an officer originally tried to pull the driver over after his vehicle matched the description of an SUV involved in a series of car break ins.

HPD spokesperson John Cannon said, "Our officer activates their emergency equipment and he leads us on a vehicle pursuit down the Gulf Freeway."

After a 10 minute chase, the driver lost control and stopped on South Green Drive and North Featherwood. Police surrounded the vehicle, with guns drawn and tried to talk the suspect into giving up. Police say it was followed by 20 minutes of the driver going in and out of his car. When he wouldn't surrender, Jake the K-9 unit went in to try to subdue him. His handler followed and yet, according to police, the driver insisted on fighting.

"They see that he is pulling an object from behind his back and out to his side and they notice it's a large knife," Cannon said.

That's when two officers standing feet away from the suspect say they had no choice. At that point, two officers fired five shots, killing the suspect.

PHOTOS: See images from the standoff

His identity has not yet been released.

All of this happened just feet away from apartments, shops and a medical plaza.

Witness Sheila Martinez said, "My question is, why did they shoot him?"

Police say they found stolen items in the suspect's vehicle.