Shoot out on our street last night. At first I thought it was Chinese firecrackers like we would hear at night in our Oakland neighborhood. But then the sirens and helicopter indicated it was something bigger. Stephen ran from window to window to watch the action. It took place a block from our house.
Houston police officer shot during drug sting
By MIKE GLENNCopyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
A Houston police officer was listed in stable condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital early today after he was shot during an undercover narcotics investigation in the Montrose area, authorities confirmed.
The wounded officer, whose identity was not released, was struck at least three times during a drug sting operation about 12:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of Mason at Fairview, Houston Police Department officials said.
One of the men was killed at the scene, while two others were wounded, during the exchange of gunfire, police said.
Four men in a gold-colored Toyota Corolla pulled up as the officer and a second investigator were attempting to make an undercover narcotics deal. One of the shooters was carrying a shotgun while another was armed with a semi-automatic pistol, police said.
"They both fired at the officers (and) our officers returned fire," HPD Lt. Robert Manzo said.
Several backup officers then moved in and also began firing. The man who opened fire with the shotgun was pronounced dead at the scene. The man with the pistol was wounded but managed to run a short distance away, police said.
"He dropped the weapon approximately half a block a way, fell down, and was apprehended," Manzo said.
Two other men in the vehicle fled on foot, setting off an extensive police search of the area including canine teams and an HPD helicopter.
They were later found hiding beneath a house in the 200 block of Stratford. One was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm, police said.
The motive was still under investigation this morning but officers at the scene said the men in the Toyota Corolla may have intended to rob the undercover officers.
