Crime
Deputy Constable and Suspect Shot Outside Harris County Family Law Center
A Harris County deputy constable was injured in a shootout outside the Harris County Family Law Center in downtown Houston on Monday afternoon, in what officials are describing as a swift and coordinated response to an active threat near the courthouse district.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m. when law enforcement received reports of an armed individual walking from Caroline Street toward the Harris County Family Law Center on Congress Street.
According to authorities, Deputy Sheila Jones of Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office spotted the suspect and initiated a foot pursuit down Congress Street.
As the suspect moved toward the courthouse plaza, additional law enforcement officers engaged, resulting in a gunfire exchange involving at least four officers.
A witness at the scene reported hearing 15 to 20 shots during the confrontation.
Deputy Jones and the suspect were both struck by gunfire. Jones was transported to Texas Medical Center, where she is expected to recover.
Officials said her bulletproof vest likely prevented more serious injuries.
According to Constable Alan Rosen, Jones reported feeling intense heat on the upper left side of her rib cage after being hit.
The unidentified suspect, described as a man in his 30s, was reportedly armed with two firearms.
He was also wounded in the exchange and taken into custody. No motive for the shooting has been released, and no other injuries were reported.
Deputy Sheila Jones, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and Army veteran, has served with Precinct 1 for the past two years.
She was assigned to the county attorney’s office and was on duty at that location when she first observed the suspect.
Her son also serves in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, adding a deeply personal dimension to Monday’s events.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who personally knows Jones and her family, praised her resilience, stating, “She is a staple. It was no different today in the hospital. She is in great spirits and thank God she is OK.”
The Houston Police Department is leading the investigation.
Teare confirmed that the suspect could face multiple charges, including aggravated assault of a peace officer, which carries penalties equivalent to those for murder.
Authorities commended the rapid response by law enforcement, saying their decisive actions may have prevented further loss of life.
The investigation into the suspect’s identity and potential motive remains ongoing.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at the MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino, leaving one man dead and another injured. Prince George’s County Police confirmed the fatality in a statement released on social media.
According to investigators, two adult men were struck by gunfire during the incident.
One victim was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.
The second victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury after a bullet grazed him and was treated at the scene or a nearby medical facility.
Police stated that the suspect fled the location immediately after the shooting and remains at large.
At this time, officials have not released information regarding what led up to the incident. However, investigators emphasized that preliminary findings suggest the shooting was not a random act of violence.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims or provided a suspect description.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Prince George’s County Police as the search for the shooter continues.