Man shot by police officer allegedly pointed gun at random people in N. Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS – A man was shot and killed by a Harris County sheriff's deputy after a disturbance at a gas station in northern Harris County Thursday.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened at the intersection of FM 1960 and Ella Blvd.

Authorities said the incident happened around 2 p.m., when they received multiple calls about a man pointing a gun at random people and interacting with drivers at a gas station at the intersection.

Deputies arrived within five minutes and found a man who matched the suspect's description.

Authorities said deputies ordered the suspect to show them his hands when the suspect reached into his waistband and pulled out a gun, pointing it at deputies.

A police officer fired a single shot, hitting the suspect in the hip. The suspect was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Command Tommy Diaz said they are investigating whether or not the gun the suspect had was a real weapon.

“As soon as the suspect was hit, he started claiming that the gun was not a real gun. We haven't touched the gun yet, we're taking pictures, once we finish processing the scene, we'll take that gun into custody and file it as evidence. At that point, we'll know what make, model and caliber that gun is, but from what we see, it looks like a real gun,” Diaz said.

Diaz says due to the high volume of calls received regarding the incident, they are asking anyone who may have witnessed it to call them.

“I want to ask for the public's help because we've had so many calls for service, we want to make sure that people are aware that we're going to need some of those witness statements from people who drove by or saw the suspect display the weapon,” Diaz said.

Diaz said people can call emergency services at 713-221-6000 or the HCSO homicide unit at 713-274-9100.