A deputy from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Texas is expected to recover after being grazed in the head during a shootout following a chase. The incident occurred near the Willowbrook area, and the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Carlos Harper, was apprehended and charged with various offenses, including attempted capital murder of a peace officer. The injured deputy was taken to the hospital in stable condition. ABC13 Houston reported
Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Survives Shootout Following Chase in Willowbrook Area
A Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy is expected to recover after sustaining a grazing head wound during a shootout that occurred late Tuesday evening. The incident took place in the 18800 block of Tomball Parkway near the Willowbrook area at approximately 9:40 p.m.
According to Assistant Chief Thomas Diaz of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the confrontation began when Deputy Christian Villanueva attempted to initiate a traffic stop, which the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Carlos Harper, refused to comply with.
Shortly after, Harper crashed on Tomball Parkway and reportedly fired a shot, grazing Villanueva’s head. In response, the deputy returned fire before the suspect fled the scene on foot towards a nearby residential area.
To capture the suspect, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office deployed multiple K9 units who eventually found Harper hiding beneath a trampoline. Unfortunately, as the injured deputy arrived at the scene, he witnessed the suspect shooting and striking one of the K9 deputies.
The wounded K9 deputy was promptly taken to a veterinarian for evaluation, but fortunately, no permanent damage was sustained. Deputies were able to apprehend Harper, who was later transported to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds to his leg and hip, as well as a dog bite.
Meanwhile, Deputy Villanueva, a dedicated law enforcement officer with four years of experience in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
The suspect, Carlos Harper, now faces charges of aggravated assault of a public servant, interfering with a police service animal, and felony evading. Additionally, he is expected to be charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
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