Man shot trying to help woman in shootout with armed, attempted carjackers

HOUSTON – Several armed men are on the run after attempts to steal a woman’s car at a Spring Branch apartment turned into a shootout overnight Friday.

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It happened around 2:15 a.m. at Spenwick Drive off Hammerly Boulevard when Houston police say the woman was pulling into the complex when a group of armed guys tried to carjack her. The woman and the armed men exchanged gunfire and the latter found themselves trapped by the gate while they tried to get away.

An unidentified man, investigators said, tried to intervene but one of the gunmen shot him in the leg. The attempted carjackers then took that opportunity to climb the fence and run away before the police arrived.

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The man who tried to help was taken to a hospital, where he’s said to be in stable condition.

Investigators said they do not have a description of the attackers but are looking through surveillance video and