1 deputy in surgery, another released after being injured in Katy-area shooting, sheriff says

ByCourtney Fischer and Pooja Lodhia KTRK logo
Thursday, February 17, 2022
1 deputy in surgery, another released after being injured in shooting
A deputy underwent surgery Wednesday and another deputy was released from the hospital after a deadly shooting Tuesday in west Harris County.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Two deputies are recovering after a shootout left one man dead in the Katy area.

It happened at a house in the 6600 block of Amberfield Lane near Barker Cypress and FM-529 just before 9 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Y. Martinez, 27, who joined the agency in Nov. 2017, has been released from the hospital.

Deputy M. Delgado, 28, who joined the agency in July 2020, is undergoing surgery.

Harris County sheriff's deputies were responding to the home after someone inside called 911 earlier in the day, stating his brother, who has mental health issues, had been firing a gun into the air.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a man with a gun came out of the house, firing at deputies, so they shot back.

WATCH: Authorities give updates on deputies shot, suspect killed

The deputies were responding to a call of shots fired at the scene when gunshots were exchanged between them and the suspect, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

The man was shot and killed.

Alan Huaracha, 43, was identified by his father as the man who was shot and killed by deputies.

WATCH: Man shot and killed by HCSO deputies fired weapon first, sheriff says

Alan Huracha, a Navy veteran who struggled with mental health issues, was identified by his parents as the man killed. Two deputies suffered gunshot wounds.

According to his father, Huaracha served in the U.S. Navy for five years and was deployed to Iraq. Huaracha struggled with mental health issues, his father said.

"Do you not think he was threatening deputies?" ABC13 reporter Courtney Fischer asked the father, Robert.

"He was not threatening at all. When he come out and saw police, they were pointing at him. One of them shot him on the hip, and that's when he fell," Robert recalled.

"He was not a threat," Robert said of his son. "They say he shot first," Courtney replied. "Well, maybe he did shoot first, but I don't know because I didn't see that," Robert said.

"I want the police to pay for what they did," Robert continued. "Because you just cannot do things like that."

Video from the scene shows the neighbor's truck window shot out.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 2 deputies shot while responding to disturbance in west Harris County, sheriff says

The shooting happened Tuesday evening in the 6600 block of Amberfield Lane, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

The sheriff said one of the deputies was shot in the leg. A bullet also grazed another deputy in the head.

"Very lucky to be alive. They're in good spirits, all things considered. A little shaken up, obviously, concerned for their families as well. So, we're giving them all the support that we can right now," Gonzalez said.

Neighbors told ABC13 they heard five to seven gunshots.

"I'm glad I wasn't around when that happened, for my kid's safety," one neighbor told ABC13.

Gonzalez confirmed that the department had been called to the house several times in the past for disturbance calls. It is unclear if deputies responded earlier Tuesday, before the deadly shootout.

"It's just unfortunate how things just kind of happen," a neighbor said.

Investigators were looking at surveillance video from houses nearby.

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