Harris County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a man while serving a warrant for murder Wednesday morning in north Houston, authorities said.
An official with the U.S. Marshals Service said the man brandished a weapon while authorities were executing the warrant. Harris County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals officials said it’s still under investigation whether the man fired a weapon, and if so, when.
Investigators said the shooting happened in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect.
Authorities have not released the identity of the person who was killed. Three of the four named suspects in the homicide case related to the murder warrant are in jail, but the fourth suspect, 21-year-old Jamal Brown, is not.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Thomas Diaz said no officers were harmed.
The two deputies who discharged their weapons, with 21 and 16 years of service, respectively, were put on automatic five-day paid administrative leave. After they undergo medical and psychological evaluations, their bureau major will decide whether they will return to duty, according to sheriff’s officials.
Authorities said deputies were executing the warrant in connection with a May homicide under investigation by the Houston Police Department. Investigators said 35-year-old Otis Parker Jr. was found dead in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in southeast Houston. An arrest affidavit shows police believe four people arranged to rob and possibly kill Parker following a dispute partially related to money.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service were present while serving the warrant as part of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.
The Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Harris County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the shooting.
Results of the police investigations will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office, which will put the findings before a grand jury.
Update, July 12, 3 p.m.: This story has been updated to include more details about the events leading up to the shooting.