Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting after 2 people kidnapped, Southwest Freeway remains closed

HOUSTON – The suspect was killed after a police chase Monday that began as a domestic violence call Sunday, police said.

Houston Police Department Executive Chief Thomas Hardin said officers were called to a report of domestic violence between a husband and wife that involved an assault. Officials said they had a young child.

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As a result of the incident, the victim went to spend the night with a relative.

According to Hardin, on Monday, a domestic violence suspect walked into a relative’s home and kidnapped his wife and child at gunpoint.

Houston police received a call about the abduction and responded to the location where the person reporting the abduction believed the suspect and victims were located.

Hardin said officers had a description of the suspect’s vehicle, found the suspect’s vehicle driving near an apartment complex, attempted a traffic stop, and the vehicle fled.

As the car fled, the suspect reached out the window twice and fired at officers, Hardin said.

That’s when a helicopter was called in, police said, and units retreated, hoping the suspect would stop or free the hostages. However, this did not happen, officials say.

When the pursuit, which officials said lasted more than 10 minutes, entered the Southwest Freeway, a PIT maneuver was executed to end the pursuit due to rush hour traffic.

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After executing the PIT maneuver, Hardin said an officer-involved shooting occurred. Three police officers fired their weapons, hitting the suspect. It is not known how many shots were fired.

After that, law enforcement officers managed to pull both victims out of the car, remove the suspect and provide first aid.

Hardin said the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said both victims are safe and unharmed, but they are scared, officials said.

There were no reports of other victims during the pursuit.

Police could not say how long the motorway would be closed as the incident was under investigation.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who was seen at the scene, said during a press conference that anyone who is a victim of domestic violence should seek help, regardless of the reason.