Officer shot in NE Houston; two people in custody

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An HPD officer is out of the hospital and two people are in custody after what police say began with a robbery in northeast Houston.

HPD Officer Jason Rhodes said he noticed the robbery in progress at the Family Dollar store at Homestead and Van Zandt.

Investigators say he confronted the suspects and they took off on foot running to a neighborhood full of homes, horses and a fifteen-year-old girl, Alexandria Celestine, watching the chase from their family barn.

Celestine said, "He fell down after he jumped the gate and then he shot the police officer."

Investigators say one of the men fired at Officer Rhodes. He fired back and was struck in the arm during the chase. Police Chief Charles McClelland says the officer is in good condition but the bullet is still in his arm.

"We got a lot of evidence on the scene including a stolen vehicle. It's pretty apparent from this evidence that this is a robbery her thwarted. I certainly want to highlight the bravery of officer Rhodes and men and women do this every day," said McClelland.

All afternoon, helicopters hovered over the neighborhood.

Celestine said, "Helicopters been going, scaring the cows."

SWAT officers searched every corner of the neighborhood with guns drawn. One suspect was found and tested for gun powder residue before being taken away by police. A second person was taken into custody about a mile and a half from the scene.

McClelland says Rhodes, who has been with the force a little more than five years, was released from the hospital Monday afternoon. He is married with one child and a second on the way.