Security guard shot during bank robbery

HOUSTON

It happened at the Preferred Bank on Stuebner-Airline and Cypresswood just before 1:30pm this afternoon.

We are told that three men walked inside with black masks and attempted to rob the bank. There was an off-duty Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy working security at the bank. He confronted the suspects, drew his gun and gunfire was exchanged. We're told the officer fired six shots.

To complicate matters even more, one of the suspects took a hostage.

"One of them stayed outside, holding hostage an A/C repairman that was in the parking lot," said Christina Garza of the Harris Co. Sheriff's Office.

The hostage was released unharmed. All three suspects fled in a car that was recovered by police in a nearby neighborhood.

Deputy Mitch Bettin was struck in the hand and was transported to Ben Taub Hospital.

One of the suspects was shot in the leg and was later arrested at LBJ Hospital. The other two suspects are still on the run.

Police are still investigating.

Four Klein ISD campuses were briefly on lockdown Tuesday afternoon because of the bank robbery, but the lockdown was lifted shortly before 3pm. The schools affected were Klein High School, Kleb Intermediate, Mittelstadt Elementary and the Annex. Bus service at those campuses resumed after the lockdown was lifted.