HOUSTON -- A robbery turned into a carjacking, an officer shooting, chase and crash that shut down the Southwest Freeway for hours on Friday morning, officials told KPRC Local 2.

It began when an armed man and woman, identified by police as Joseph Lee Flores, 34, and Tamina Hamid, 25, robbed a man on Brighton Lane near Murphy Road in southwest Houston, officers said. A shot was fired and a bullet grazed the victim.

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Slideshow: Officers Arrest Man, Woman

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As the couple tried to escape, they were spotted by a Meadows Place police officer, according to officials.

Sgt. Larry Eissler was shot in the shoulder when he tried to pull Flores and Hamid over, police said.

"They would not stop. He pulled beside them on Dairy Ashford. The suspect shot from their vehicle into the patrol car and hit the officer in the shoulder," said Chief B.R. Krahn of the Stafford Police Department.

"(Flores), I understand, shot out his own window of the 4Runner, shot out the driver's side window of his vehicle and then leaned out to shoot Sgt. Eissler," Meadows Place Police Chief Mike Pickett said.

The couple then pulled into a convenient store to ditch the damaged 4Runner, police said, and stole a white pickup truck at gunpoint from a man pumping gas.

"He showed him the gun and took off with his truck," a witness said.

A chase ensued as shots were fired in the Covington Woods subdivision, according to authorities. No one was hit.

The high-speed pursuit eventually turned onto Highway 59 southbound at Highway 6. Police said gunfire was exchanged between Flores, Hamid and officers. A gunshot blew out the back tire of the truck.

The truck swerved and fish-tailed along the freeway, eventually hitting another vehicle and spinning out of control, crashing into the guardrail, officers said.

Flores, who was the driver, then jumped out of the truck and ran, investigators said. He was captured a short time later when an undercover officer caught up with him and bumped him with his vehicle, witnesses said.

Hamid struggled with officers as they tried to arrest her, police said.

Both were taken into custody. They face charges of attempted capital murder of a police officer as well as other charges.

Flores has a history of arrests for theft, drug possession and driving while intoxicated. Hamid has numerous arrests for drug possession and auto theft.

Eissler was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he is listed in fair condition. He is expected to be released Saturday.

Southwest Freeway Reopens

The southbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway were completely shut down at Highway 6 for two hours until the scene cleared.

The freeway was reopened by 12:30 p.m.

Road Condition Information:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call (800) 452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site