Manhunt turns up empty for suspect after shootout with officer in Baytown

BAYTOWN, TX (KTRK) -- The workday for some neighbors along Garth Road had to be put on hold. Neighbor Nelson Sanchez said, "Today we have grades due. I am getting text messages I need progress reports and things like that. I called them and told them the neighborhood was on lockdown." There was a lot of activity up and down Pamela Drive. Sanchez added, "SWAT officers and they had the SWAT truck going house by house. Then they brought in the dogs to check the trash cans."

Before the massive manhunt, police were called to a robbery at an Ace Check Cashing store on Garth Road around 7:30 in the morning. A Baytown officer arrived in his unit and found two men assaulting a female employee in front of the store. Lt. Eric Freed with Baytown Police said, "When the two men saw the officer pull up they started firing, at least one started firing striking it multiple times."

There was a shootout and a bullet went through the front door of a salon two doors down. Salon employee Aimee Ponce said, "It's really amazing that we were not here at that time. It almost the time we open around 9, so it was great that we were not here. We didn't see nothing."

The officer struck one suspect in the leg, identified as 47-year-old Terrence Small. Investigators believe the men may have been trying to take the employee against her will. After a four hour search for the second man, police cleared the area. A relief to those on lockdown that they no longer believe he's in the area, but the man police called armed and dangerous is still out there somewhere. "Lately as you notice there's been a crime wave in Baytown. We are always in the news and things are going on. I guess it has to do with the economy," said Sanchez.

The victim is being treated for cuts and bruises from the assault. The officer has glass injuries from the bullet going through his SUV. The suspect is being treated for a gunshot wound to the hip and expected to be charged with First Degree Felony Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant and Second Degree Aggravated Robbery.

If you have any information call Baytown Crimestoppers at 281-427-TIPS (8477) / or text keyword "Baytown" plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) / or fill out an online Baytown Crimestoppers form.