According to Houston police, Officer Bruce Johnson was still in uniform when he arrived to his home in the 6500 block of Yorkdale. Johnson found a suspect who was breaking into his home.
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Houston Police Chief Acevedo said the suspect and officer got into a physical altercation and the suspect attempted to use a metal pipe, known as a "pickle fork", when the officer discharged several rounds.
Taylor Williams is related to Johnson.
"I pulled up from school and my grandma told me," Williams said.
Skyeye video of scene where off-duty officer shot burglary suspect
Relatives say they were relieved to learn Johnson wasn't injured after firing his gun and striking the suspect.
"Someone was trying to rob, break into his house, he pulled up and seen them and ran," Williams said. "He shot him. He wanted his stuff back."
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There were two confrontations as the officer chased the man.
"When you're burglarizing a home and you have someone in a full uniform and you start fighting that individual and you pull a weapon you can almost be assured you're probably going to be shot," Acevedo said.
The suspect was injured and taken to Ben Taub Hospital. Johnson was not injured during the incident.
The officer's relatives say this should serve as a warning to any criminal.
"He learned pretty fast, he felt it," added Williams.