Off-duty deputy shoots at suspected car burglar outside church

An off-duty Harris County sheriff's deputy opened fire on a suspected car burglar Tuesday night outside a church in southwest Houston.

The shooting happened about 11 p.m. at 7900 West Fuqua near Fondren, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said the deputy had been at a bible study session at the church and had stayed behind when it was finished to help clean up. That's when he heard a car alarm activated in the parking lot. He went outside to investigate and noticed his vehicle had been burglarized He also spotted a man in another car nearby.

Police said the deputy pulled out his handgun, identified himself as a law enforcement officer and told the suspect to show his hands. The suspect, police added, ignored the deputy's commands and made suspicious movements while he was inside the vehicle as if he were searching for a weapon. Then he leaped out of the vehicle and pointed an object at the deputy, who was not in uniform.

Believing the object in the suspect's hand to be weapon, the deputy fired several shots at the suspect, police said.

The suspect ran away. It is not believed he was wounded. The deputy, whose name has not been released, was not hurt.

As is customary in all officer-involved shootings in Houston, the HPD Homicide Division is investigating the case. The Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide and Internal Affairs units are also investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713 308-3600.