Man accused of threatening family escapes during SWAT standoff in north Harris Co., deputies say

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A man accused of threatening his family with a weapon managed to escape during a SWAT standoff early Tuesday morning in north Harris County, officials said.

Harris County sheriff's deputies were called to a residence in the 1500 block of Hill Road around 1:30 a.m. in response to a family disturbance call.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially said the man fired shots towards his wife and then barricaded himself. However, in a later update, Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said the man threatened family members with a weapon inside the home.

Investigators said the man would not let the woman and three children leave the residence.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with the victims, who told officials they were unable to leave. That's when SWAT members were called to the scene.

After a few hours trying to make contact with the suspect, the woman and children were released, Gilliland said. No injuries were reported.

Later, SWAT members went inside the residence -- but the suspect was nowhere to be found, according to Gilliland.

"At some point, he did manage to leave and escape the residence," Gilliland said. "We think he fled on foot at some point during the standoff."

Deputies did not identify the suspect, but said he has been charged with aggravated assault on a family member stemming from the original family disturbance call.

Gilliland said deputies have received previous calls for service at the residence and the suspect has an "extensive criminal record."

Investigators said the suspect has other family members in the area.