Man in custody after standoff at southwest Houston motel, police say

HOUSTON – A man is in custody after a standoff at a southwest Houston motel, police said. 

Officers were called to America's Inn and Suites around 1 a.m. at the Southwest Freeway feeder and Gessner after a security guard noticed the suspect pointing a shotgun at a group of people in the parking lot.

Officers said the man was in room 252 and there were children in the room. The people in the room would not cooperate and SWAT was called to the motel.

"Once they obtained the search warrant, we were able determine there were at least four adults and three children in the room, so we contacted our SWAT officers to respond to the scene. They responded, set up a loud speaker and negotiated with the occupants and they all exited and gave up to the police," said Lt. Larry Crowson with the Houston Police Department. 

VIDEO: Man arrested in SWAT standoff says he did not have a gun

Inside the room officials said they found a shotgun, crack and marijuana. 

According to police, the man, identified as Qiriathaim Phillips, 21, was charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

Phillips told KPRC Channel 2 after his arrest that he was not armed and did not hold anyone hostage. Phillips' brother, girlfriend and daughter were in the room. Phillips' adult cousin and her two children were also inside.

"First they said I kidnapped somebody. They told me I had a hostage in there. I promise. No joke. They said I had a hostage in there. Now they're saying that I own a shotgun. I don't have no weapons," said Phillips. "Now they're saying I own a shotgun. I know I have no weapons. They just trying to find a reason to arrest me because I closed the door in some officers' face."

The children in the room were 2-months, 4-months and 2-years old. Officers said the children are with family members.

No one was hurt.


About the Authors:

Reporter, family-oriented, sports fanatic, proud Houstonian.