Police: Deputy constable shot multiple times in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — A deputy constable was rushed to a hospital after a suspect shot him from behind multiple times in Houston, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday as the deputy constable was standing next to another deputy constable’s vehicle, Houston police spokesman Kese Smith told The Associated Press. The deputy constable was in surgery early Thursday and Smith did not know how serious his injuries were.

Meanwhile, authorities were questioning a male who showed up a nearby fire station after the shooting and matched the description of the suspected shooter, Smith said. Smith said the person had not been arrested or charged, but also said authorities were not currently looking for anyone else in the shooting.

According to Smith, the shooting came after a female reserve deputy constable made a traffic stop and called the male deputy constable to assist. The vehicle that was pulled over was cleared and left and the male deputy constable was standing outside the window of the female’s vehicle when he was shot. The female deputy constable got out and shot back, but it was unknown if she hit the suspect, who then fled, Smith said.

The person being questioned at the fire station did not have any injuries, Smith said. Smith also said he did not think the shooting was related to the traffic stop.

“It was completely unprovoked,” said Pamela Greenwood, a spokeswoman for the Harris County precinct seven constable’s office.

Asked if authorities believed the shooter was targeting law enforcement, Smith noted that both deputy constables were in uniform and had marked vehicles.

“I can’t see how someone can mistake them for someone other than law enforcement,” Smith said.