Houston firefighter fatally shot by neighbor

Investigators say a Houston-area woman who was home alone has fatally shot her next-door neighbor after hearing noises at her front door and seeing a man outside. Authorities say 27-year-old Samuel Keen, a member of the Houston Fire Department, had been out drinking with friends, took a taxi home and allegedly was intoxicated when he was shot Monday night. less Investigators say a Houston-area woman who was home alone has fatally shot her next-door neighbor after hearing noises at her front door and seeing a man outside. Authorities say 27-year-old Samuel Keen, a ... more Photo: HFD Photo: HFD Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Houston firefighter fatally shot by neighbor 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Houston firefighter who may have confused his door with a neighbor's was fatally shot Monday by a woman who said she mistook him for an intruder.

Samuel Keen, 27, had been out drinking with friends at a bar when he decided to take a cab home, said Montgomery County sheriff's Lt. Brady Fitzgerald.

Back in his Porter Heights neighborhood, Keen likely thought his 64-year-old neighbor's home was his own and tried to get through the front door, Fitzgerald said.

The woman told authorities she was alone in her brick home in the 20600 block of Youpon Lane when she heard a noise about 9:30 p.m. and saw the figure of a man through her opaque glass door.

She said she ordered the man to leave, telling him she was armed and would shoot if he kept trying to come in.

She claims the man ignored her warning and continued trying to open the door.

The woman, who authorities declined to name, said she fired two shots from a revolver through the door and then called 911.

Keen, who had worked for the Houston Fire Department on the city's north side for three years, was wounded twice. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Ben Taub General Hospital.

Fitzgerald said the woman was "pretty shaken up" by the fatal incident.

A Montgomery County grand jury will decide whether she will face any criminal charges, according to Fitzgerald.

"It's a very unfortunate situation," said Ruy Lozano, spokesman for Houston Fire Department. "It's a tragedy for all the firefighters who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Houston Mayor Annise Parker described the incident as "tragic."

Keen, who had previously served in the Marines, is survived by his wife, Courtney.

Fitzgerald said there were no previous reports of the neighbors having conflicts.