Increased reward offered in case of ambush shooting of deputy constable
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Crime Stoppers is offering an increased reward in the case of the ambush shooting of Precinct 7 Deputy Constable Alden Clopton.
A reward of up to $10,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and charging of a suspect or suspects in the ambush attack Wednesday night.
"HPD has contacted Crime Stoppers and asked for our help," explained Jeff McShan with Crime Stoppers. "To me that says a lot. That they're just not there yet and they need somebody from the public to step up."
Authorities said Deputy Constable Clopton was wearing a protective vest when he was shot several times from behind late Wednesday as the assailant stood on the other side of a four-lane road in a neighborhood just northeast of Texas Southern University. Newly released video shows the moments Clopton was shot.
The bullet-proof vest likely saved Clopton's life, Constable May Walker said.
"He had sustained six wounds to his abdominal cavity and chest cavity," explained Dr. Joseph Love, with Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute. "The surgery went well, successful. He is now recovering fairly routinely in our shock trauma intensive care unit."
A person of interest had been taken into custody in the case, but police determined that person is not a suspect.
Less than 48 hours after the shooting, Deputy Clopton was moving and talking.
"He is able to remember what happened to him, and he's excited about his future," said his son, Todre Clopton.
WATCH: Son of Deputy Clopton talks to Eyewitness News
PHOTOS: Deputy Clopton shot multiple times in 'ambush' attack
Deputy Clopton is the second local law enforcement officer in recent months to be shot in an 'ambush' style attack. Back in August, Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Darren Goforth was fatally shot in an ambush at a northwest Harris County gas station.
