Off-duty officer fires at bank robbers

HOUSTON According to Houston police, around 3:30pm, two masked men, entered the Vista Bank on Highway 290 at North Gessner Road. One of the suspects was armed with a pistol. Believing the bank was about to be robbed and fearing for the safety of the bank employees, an off-duty HPD officer working security at the bank fired his weapon several times at the suspects. One of the suspects may have been injured.

Both suspects then turned and fled. One suspect got into a white Ford Taurus which was driven by a third suspect. The other suspect tripped and fell in the parking lot and was taken into custody. A pistol was recovered from him at the scene. The white Taurus was found abandoned less than a mile away.

Officer Sandoval suffered a minor injury to his forehead and was treated at the scene.

Anyone with information in this case or on the identities of the two wanted suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.