Police Shoot, Kill Suspected Robber Near HCC West Loop South

BELLAIRE, TX — Houston and Bellaire police tracked down and killed a man accused of robbing a gas station and attempting to carjack drivers Thursday morning in Bellaire. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said a man was accused of robbing the Exxon station at 10721 S. Post Oak and held a female clerk at gunpoint. The accused robber went behind the counter to steal money, and he nabbed some beer on the way out.

Police were alerted to the situation and responded. An officer was reported to have shot the man who was later trying to carjack drivers along the West Loop, Acevedo said.

The officer-involved shooting caused alerts to go off at the nearby HCC West campus.

Acevedo said the suspect drove away from the scene, only to have photos taken of his car outside by the clerk. Once the suspect realized his photo had been taken, he spun around to confront the clerk, who ran back inside. The suspect fled again. Bellaire police spotted the suspect’s sedan along the West Loop before 9 a.m., and HPD responded for backup.

The suspect exited his car with a handgun and refused commands from police, Acevedo said. Police said the suspect walked toward a nearby parking lot, clinic and the HCC campus, trying to carjack passing motorists who refused to stop.

As the suspect continued to point his weapon at officers and others, one Houston officer with more than 20 years experience opened fire and shot him. The wounded suspect dropped his weapon and continued to flee on foot, but he eventually collapsed. Bellaire firefighters tried to keep him alive, but the suspect died at the scene.

No officers were hurt, nor were any bystanders or passing motorists. Thursday events remain under investigation.

(Original story at 9:15 a.m.)

An officer-involved shooting at 5475 West Loop South feeder road near the Houston Community College campus. Police say a suspect was shot, and that the officer is uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

Crime scene tape has been put up from nearby businesses to where the school campus is located.

Police have the public to avoid the area.

Patch will update this story as more details emerge.