Man under arrest after standoff where he held knife near baby at apartments in Fourth Ward, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man is in custody, and a 6-month-old child is safe after SWAT was called to an apartment complex in Fourth Ward on Thursday morning, Houston police said.

According to authorities, it all began as a family violence call at about 7:45 a.m. on 816 Skyline Vista Dr.

When officers arrived, a woman met them at the door, saying that there was a disturbance between her and her boyfriend.

While she was talking to police, the boyfriend immediately answered from inside the apartment, claiming that he had multiple weapons.

HPD Asst. Chief Ben Tien said that police were able to take the woman away safely, but her boyfriend then charged out of the front door and stayed on the porch with their child, who was in a car seat.

At some point, the man, while holding multiple knives to his throat, threatened to take his own life, Tien said, adding that this was all unfolding near the baby.

With the man adamant that he wasn't going to give up, SWAT negotiators were called to try to calm him down.

Tien said that when the man became agitated again, negotiators found a small window of opportunity to move him away from the child while police deployed less lethal tactics on the suspect.

When asked by reporters what that meant, Tien described the tactics as a Taser or controlled energy devices.

After authorities had the baby, Tien said the man began to run, but he was peacefully taken into custody at about 10:20 a.m.

The woman, man and their child were all taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

"As we get closer to the holidays, tempers flare, so I encourage everyone to not let it get there. If you guys need some intervention, there's a lot of resources out there or just pick up the phone and call us," Tien said.

Tien added that officers had been to the apartment on several occasions.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office will determine if charges will be filed.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, 24/7 service.

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