August 6, 2021 - Houston police are investigating the death of a man following a pursuit where a Harris County Sheriff's Deputy also discharged his duty weapon at 21800 Katy Freeway (Interstate Highway 10 West) at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday (August 5).

The identity of the male is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The Harris County Sheriff's Deputy, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident. 

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant J. Hekimian and Detectives B. Elliott, N. Arellano and V. Nguyen reported:

Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a driver for a traffic violation in Harris County. While the deputies pursued the vehicle, it stopped abruptly on the left shoulder of the Katy Freeway in the Houston city limits at the above address.  As the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, he saw the driver raise a gun at him.  The deputy fired one round at the driver.  After the deputy exited his vehicle, he heard a gunshot inside the suspect's vehicle.  Two passengers in the suspect’s vehicle quickly exited and deputies placed them into custody. 

Deputies saw the driver was still in the vehicle, approached and saw a gun in the driver’s hand.  He had sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.  Deputies used a metal rod to slide the gun out of the driver’s hand and onto the floorboard. Deputies removed the driver and called for paramedics. The suspect was then transported to an area hospital via Life Flight helicopter where he was pronounced deceased. 

A preliminary investigation indicated the driver of the vehicle committed suicide after the stop and the deputy's round did not strike the driver.  

As is customary in incidents where a peace officer discharges their duty weapon in the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD's Special Investigations Unit and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.