Man armed with rifle arrested after officer-involved shooting in SW Houston, police say

Basel Khaled Al Rifai (KPRC)

HOUSTON – A man accused of pointing a rifle at Houston police officers before they fired their weapon has been arrested in southwest Houston.

Basel Khaled Al Rifai, 22, is now charged with assault on a family member and terroristic threat.

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On Wednesday, Houston police responded to reports of a family disturbance with a weapon in the 9100 block of Kindlewood Drive around 12:55 a.m.

The witness who called police said her friend was being held inside of the residence by her husband, who was identified as Al Rifai, who was armed with a gun.

Police said the witness told them she had also been threatened by Al Rifai.

Officers said they knocked on the door of the residence and Al Rifai opened the door with a rifle in his hand and pointed it in the direction of the officers. Fearing for his and his fellow officers’ lives, authorities said officer Martinez discharged his weapon, firing in the direction of Al Rifai.

Al Rifai was not injured during the incident and surrendered to officers.

The case is now being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit and the Internal Affairs Division.


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Prairie View A&M University graduate with a master’s degree in Digital Media Studies from Sam Houston State. Delta woman. Proud aunt. Lover of the color purple. 💜

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