HPD officer shoots, kills suspect during traffic stop

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A suspect was shot and killed by a Houston Police Officer during a routine traffic stop.

Officers were patrolling north Houston when they came upon a late model Chevrolet truck that had been reported stolen. Just after 10pm, the officers pulled the driver over off Red Bud Lane near Hollyvale Drive.

Authorities say both officers got out of their patrol car walked over to the truck with one officer on each side of the vehicle.

"As they approached the vehicle, the driver sitting in the driver side produced a weapon from inside the car," said Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The officer fearing for his life, according to Gilliland, pulled his weapon and fired once at the suspect, killing him on the spot.

The driver was alone during the time of the incident. His identity has not been released.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is now investigating.