WATCH: Unarmed man with pants down fatally shot by Harris County deputy

Video obtained by the Houston Chronicle captures the killing of an apparently unarmed man who was shot by a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy in the Greater Greenspoint area Thursday.

The Houston Police Department confirmed Friday that Danny Ray Thomas, 34, died after the deputy -- who has not been named -- fired one shot at him around 1 p.m. in the 17600 block of Imperial Valley Road.

Sheriff's Office spokesman Jason Spencer said Thursday that no weapon was recovered at the scene.

Witnesses said Thomas was "walking in the middle of the intersection of Imperial Valley and Greens Road with his pants around his ankles, talking to himself and hitting vehicles as they passed by," according to a press release Friday from HPD, which is leading the investigation because the shooting occurred within city limits.

"Thomas then struck a white vehicle, and the driver exited and engaged in a physical altercation with the suspect," Houston Police said. The deputy saw the altercation and stopped his car.

HPD said Thomas ignored verbal commands from the deputy and "continued to advance" toward him.

"Fearing for his safety, the deputy discharged his duty weapon, striking Thomas once in the chest, " Houston Police said.

You can read read the Chronicle's previous report on Thomas' death here.

Robert Downen covers crime for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter or email him at robert.downen@chron.com.