Officer shoots suspect outside north Houston grocery store

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A meat market burglary suspect is now facing charges after he was shot by an officer in north Houston early Friday morning.

Omar Campos has been charged with felony burglary of a building and evading arrest.

According to the Houston Police Department, Officer L. Castillo discharged his duty weapon and shot the 19-year-old Hispanic man at the Imperial Valley Center around 4:50am.

Officer Castillo was looking for a suspect wanted in a burglary in-progress call at Teloloapan meat market at 179 Aldine Bender Road.

Cleaners and bakers heard the burglars break into their warehouse. We're told the burglars pried up the warehouse door, made their way inside and stole several food items, including beer.

"They pulled open the warehouse, got inside, they had about a three foot gap, went inside took what they could," said Emmanuel Flores with the Teloloapan Meat Market. "My understanding they were young. I think they were hungry, probably cold."

The workers called 911, worried the burglars would come into the main store. Teloloapan's operations director told Eyewitness News this is the second break-in this week. He said in both cases, burglars turned off the circuit breakers, cutting power to the store.

When officers arrived, the burglars fled the scene. The officer found one suspect and followed him to a strip center parking lot at 16272 Imperial Valley Drive.

Investigators said Officer Castillo gave verbal commands and instructions to the felony suspect to put his hands up.

Officer Castillo radioed for back up, the suspect made a rapid move of his hands to his waist and the officer shot striking the suspect one time in the thigh.

"The last thing these officers want to do at the beginning of their shifts is think, 'Geez, am I going to get into a shooting tonight?' You see the scrutiny involved in these cases," an HPD Spokesperson said.

Officers did not recover a weapon at the strip plaza. They stressed, though, that does not mean the man was unarmed all night.

Paramedics arrived and transported him to Houston Northwest Medical Center where he was treated, released a few hours later and taken to jail.

Officer Castillo was not injured.

Ultimately, those at the store say the injured teen could have asked for help.

"If they're really in need ... We're family owned. So if they could come in communicate to us, they're really in need. We're more than welcome to help the community," Flores said. "That's what we love to do."

As is customary when an HPD officer discharges a duty weapon in the city limits resulting in an injury, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Investigators are asking for anyone with information on three other felony suspects wanted in the burglary to contact the HPD Burglary and Theft Division at 713-308-0900 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.