Harris County assault suspect shot by DPS trooper after chase into Leon County, authorities say

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A suspect accused of aggravated assault with a pitchfork in Harris County was shot by a Department of Public Safety trooper on Monday morning in Leon County after a pursuit with law enforcement, authorities said.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about reckless driving when they found a man in the 23200 block of the North Freeway service road in Spring.

The man reported to deputies that he was a carjacking victim, describing that he was driving in heavy traffic on IH-45 near the North Loop around 7 a.m. when a stranger wielding a pitchfork climbed into the bed of his Ford F-150 pickup truck, according to HCSO.

Authorities said the driver then reported that the suspect with the pitchfork broke into the vehicle's rear window, climbed inside the cab, and forced the driver out before driving away. Officials said the victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office said its deputies received a report of a law enforcement chase with the suspect on IH-45 northbound as it entered their jurisdiction from Madison County.

Authorities said the suspect was also accused of an aggravated robbery in Walker County.

DPS confirmed that the video posted to Facebook, showing a red F-150 smashing into a DPS car before reversing out and driving away, was the vehicle stolen out of Harris County.

The sheriff's office said the chase continued into Leon County before it ended near mile marker 163 NB on IH-45.

According to DPS, one of its troopers shot the suspect, who was then transported to a medical center in Temple in critical condition. Authorities said no DPS troopers were injured during the incident.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office said the Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, which is currently underway.