Man accused of shooting 2 deputies was a Navy veteran that suffered from mental health issues, family says

KATY, Texas – Two Harris County deputies were shot in the Katy area Tuesday, law enforcement officials said.

The suspected shooter, who has been identified as Alan Huracha, 43, was fatally shot at the scene. According to the man’s family, he was a Navy veteran who suffered from mental health issues.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the shooting happened in the 6600 block of Amberfield Lane.

Deputies were called to the scene around 8 p.m. when someone inside the residence reported a man firing a weapon, Gonzalez said. Officials said the suspected shooter and the 911 caller were related.

Authorities described the situation as an “ambush” saying when deputies arrived, Huracha pointed his weapon at law enforcement and opened fire.

Deputies said they exchanged gunfire, ultimately shooting Huracha, who died at the scene.

During the exchange of gunfire, the two deputies were injured. Investigators said the deputies are 27 and 28 years old.

Gonzalez said the deputies did not appear to have life-threatening wounds. One was shot in the leg and one had a graze to his ear.

Deputies also said that Huracha was out on a personal recognizance bond for aggravated assault of a family member from a case from 2020.

Huracha’s family believes there’s some discrepancies over exactly what happened during the incident. His father, Robert Huracha, said his son did have a gun and family members warned him not to shoot it in the air.

“My son, one day he showed them that he had a gun and he wanted to practice with his gun but he told them, ‘Aye, don’t do that anymore. That can get you into trouble. Next time the police come. Next time, he has the right to call police,’ and he did, my son called police,” Robert said.