HOUSTON – A Houston man fought back against three armed suspects who tried to rob him in front of a Museum District-area workplace.
It happened around 8 a.m. Thursday in the 4800 block of Caroline. Houston police said the man had just pulled up to the Caroline Collective on Caroline near Rosedale when he was approached by three armed suspects who demanded money. Police said the victim was able to reach into his car and pull out his own gun.
"The complainant was armed and he shot and hit two of the suspects," said Sgt. Francisco Fernandez with the Houston Police Department.
Investigators said one suspect was hit in the stomach and made it about a block away before he collapsed. He was transported to an area hospital with what were described as critical injuries.
The two other suspects fled the scene.
"Some of their clothes were discarded, so we're not exactly sure what they're wearing now," said Sgt. Fernandez. "We do know that one of the other suspects is wounded, probably in the hand or the arm, so he might turn up at the hospital later."
Police said during a struggle that followed the shooting, the suspects managed to get the victim's gun. It was recovered in a nearby storm drain. Police said another gun was also recovered a within the same neighborhood.
The victim reported another robbery at the same location on June 21.
Grace Rodriguez, a former former Caroline Collective member, said the victim started carrying a weapon after that incident.
"I'm sure he was also mentally prepared for this because of what he'd been through," said Rodriguez. "He thought, ‘If this happens again, this is what I'm going to do."'
Police also said that wounded suspect made it to a nearby store to ask for help, but then he left. They said they would review surveillance video in hopes of identifying the suspect.
A second suspect was taken into custody at UTMB Galveston where he showed up with gunshot wounds to both hands, police say.
The third suspect is still at large.