HPD officer opens fire, one suspect killed, two others injured

MISSOURI CITY, TX (KTRK) -- A police chase turned deadly after the pursuit spanned two counties early this morning.

Houston police officers said they witnessed an armed robbery in progress at a convenience store on S. Post Oak near the Beltway. HPD spokesperson Victor Senties explained the officers heard several gun shots and noticed masked men jumping into a vehicle described as a silver Volvo.

Senties said the investigation revealed the armed individuals tried robbing a woman at a gas pump. Authorities said she was unharmed.

"They attempt to rob her. There are some shots fired. Officers hear shots fired. They then go to the area," said Senties. "They see the silver Volvo fleeing the scene. They pursue the vehicle until they end up here at 1290 Tiny Tree Drive."

The chase ended in the 1200 block of Tiny Tree Drive in Missouri City. Investigators said the Volvo pulled over at the end of the block, and three men bailed out of the vehicle and tried to run away. Investigators said the suspects ran up a driveway, up a residence and towards a back fence.

"It was 2 man unit. 1 of the officers pursued the suspects on foot. At that point, the other officer who is near his patrol vehicle happens to see a suspect turn and he (the suspect) has a weapon in his hand, pointing at his (the officer's) partner," said Senties. "Obviously, fearing for his partner's life the officer discharged his duty weapon."

The bullets killed one of the fleeing men and injured another, according to authorities. The other wanted man ran off into the night. Senties told Eyewitness News the gunfire did not end there.

"At that point, the officer who discharged his weapon turned his attention back to the vehicle. He see a female driver. She's making suspicious movements and reaching down as if she's about to pull a weapon," insisted Senties. "He gives her verbal commands. She's still reaching down. He again fires his duty weapon, fearing for his life."

Investigators said she was injured. However, it was unclear if she suffered a gunshot wound or was injured by broken glass on the driver's side of the vehicle. Both she and the man shot were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Officers said both were alert, conscious, and talking when paramedics took them from the Tiny Tree Drive.

HPD said Officer M. Rivera, a 6 year veteran of the force, fired his weapon. Officer Rivera is now on 3 day administrative leave which is standard protocol. He must see psychological services before he can be cleared and return to duty.

Authorities said they recovered a pistol from the man killed during the foot chase.

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