Justice of the peace shot while sitting in Mercedes on MLK Boulevard
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators are trying to figure out why someone shot a justice of the peace who was sitting in a sports car in southeast Houston.
At about 10:40pm, HPD got a call about a shooting on Martin Luther King Boulevard near Pershing. Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam was sitting in his Mercedes-Benz when he was wounded.
PHOTOS: Man in sports car shot on MLK Blvd.
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Houston police say Gillam, 62, told them he was driving on MLK when he got a phone call and pulled into a business parking lot to take the call. He said he was repeatedly approached by a woman asking for money, but he kept telling her no.
Gillam says as he was trying to drive away, in his rearview mirror he spotted a man walking quickly toward his car and pull out a gun. Gillam retrieved his own gun to defend himself and the suspect began shooting. Gillam returned fire, but it's unknown if he hit the man or not.
When officers arrived, they found Gillam suffering facial injuries that are believed to have been caused by bullet fragments or debris. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in stable condition.
RAW VIDEO: Police investigate shooting in SE Houston
Witnesses told police they heard several gunshots and saw a man running from the scene. The suspect is described as a black male, about 25-30 years of age, weighing approximately 160 pounds and about 5'7" tall. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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