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.
GLEN BURNIE, Md. — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting reported in Glen Burnie, Maryland, after an incident in which a suspect allegedly crashed a vehicle into a law enforcement agent.
Preliminary reports indicate that one suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was transported under a Priority B medical status.
Emergency medical services also responded to assist a law enforcement agent who reported neck pain; a second EMS unit was requested to provide additional medical evaluation and care.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting, including what prompted the vehicle collision and the use of force, have not yet been fully detailed by authorities.
Police have confirmed that the scene was secured, and standard investigative protocols for officer-involved shootings have been initiated.
No further information regarding the identities of those involved or the suspect’s condition has been released at this time.
Officials stated that additional details will be provided as the investigation continues.