HCSO: Man allegedly on cocaine shot by off-duty deputy constable in east Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY (KTRK) -- Authorities continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting in east Harris County.

According to Sgt. Cedrick Collier with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the off-duty officer was a 29-year-old sergeant with the Harris County Pct. 3 Constable's Office. He was inside his home in Highlands when a man knocked on his door.

"The man said, 'I'm looking for the guy that drives this patrol car.' The sergeant stated, 'I am the person that drives that car, I am a police officer, what can I help you with,'" Sgt. Collier said.

Collier says the sergeant went back inside his home, grabbed his gun and badge to tell the man to leave his property. He also called for backup.

"The suspect entered into the vehicle that he drove to this residence, put it in reverse and attempted to run over the sergeant and pin him in between the fence and the car," Sgt. Collier said. "He put the car in park, exited the car and stated that he was going to assault him and cut him with a knife."

Collier says the suspect refused to put down the knife and kept walking toward the sergeant.

"The suspect continued to approach him, at which time the sergeant discharged his weapon twice, striking the suspect in the stomach," Sgt. Collier said.

The suspect was air lifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Collier said the suspect told emergency responders that he was under the influence of cocaine.

The sergeant was not injured. He will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the shooting investigation.

An eyewitness says he saw the entire shooting. He did not want to be identified by Eyewitness News.

"We saw two men, one inside the gate, one outside the gate. We noticed that the man outside the gate was a black gentleman that had a gun. We saw the white man push the gate open, coming out, and as he was coming out of the gate, the black gentleman raised the gun and shot the man twice in the chest," he said.

The eyewitness says the man was not charging at the deputy constable.