Chase suspect who ran over Pct. 1 deputy shot and killed by officers, investigators say

A family dispute reportedly became a wrong-way chase in a stolen car before a deputy was run over and the suspect was killed.

Charly Edsitty Image
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Driver who ran over deputy fatally shot by officers, investigators say
Officials say it started with a family disturbance at north Houston church. In total, five officers fired their guns after the suspect allegedly ran over a deputy.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A suspect is dead and a deputy constable is in the hospital after he was run over by that chase suspect in north Houston.

"We have shots fired. Hold the channel. He just ran into the house... Need EMS ASAP. Suspect is going to be down. Suspect is down," emergency responders could be heard reporting on radio calls.

Investigators say the shooting started as a family disturbance at a nearby church on Witcher Lane. The suspect reportedly met up with a family member and some sort of dispute broke out.

The suspect allegedly rammed his car into several others in the parking lot before taking off. Officials noted that the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle, which may have been stolen as recently as Wednesday.

Harris County Pct. 1 deputy constables saw the suspect vehicle driving the wrong way on the Hardy Toll Road sometime after the disturbance and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspect didn't pull over, Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen said. That's when investigators say the chase began.

The chase reportedly ended around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at a house on Mitchell and the Hardy Toll Road.

Investigators say the suspect crashed into the home at the end of the chase. Video from the scene shows a black vehicle crashed into a Precinct 1 patrol car. According to Houston Police Executive Chief Matt Slinkard, the crash left a large hole in the side of the home.

"Very dangerous situation," Slinkard said. "Luckily, no one was hurt inside the home when that suspect ran into the side of the house."

Slinkard said it appears the home is that of a family member, likely the one involved in the dispute earlier in the night.

The chase ended with shots fired by four Pct. 1 deputy constables and one Houston police officer.

Investigators say the suspect also ran over a deputy constable in the process.

"The deputy constable got out of his vehicle to approach the suspect. The suspect then, using his vehicle as a weapon, ran over the deputy constable, unfortunately," Slinkard said. "That deputy constable was run over and was life flighted for injuries from this location."

The suspect was shot by a Pct. 1 deputy constable and was pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said.

Officials say the deputy constable that was run over is in serious but stable condition. The 34-year-old, who has been with the agency for four years, had procedures done to stabilize his pelvis and spleen.

"Let's pray for him this evening. We have his wife at the hospital," Rosen said. "I'm just so thankful for all of the law enforcement support that we've had this evening for this deputy. Keep him in your prayers. Hopefully he'll pull through and be OK."

Investigators did not immediately release the identity of the suspect killed.

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