BELLAIRE, Texas – All northbound lanes of I-69 at Bissonnet were closed Tuesday after a police chase turned into a shooting, police said.
According to investigators, officers tried to stop the driver of a black Cadillac around 11:30 p.m. on Monday after she made an illegal turn on West Bellfort in Bellaire, but the driver refused to stop. As officers chased the driver, a female threw bags of what investigators believe was marijuana from the vehicle.
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The vehicle came to a stop on Sunburst when the driver ran the vehicle into a tree and a fire hydrant, police said. The driver, started the vehicle again and backed into the multiple police vehicles. Several officers opened fire, hitting the driver, the other woman inside the vehicle and an innocent woman in a nearby home, investigators said. According to investigators, at least two stray bullets entered the nearby residence.
All three women were taken to Ben Taub hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.
None of the officers were injured.
A resident in the area said he’s lived in what is typically a quiet neighborhood for 17 years. Jim Williams said he heard a car engine rev, heard a helicopter, police sirens and then gunshots. That’s when he thought, “Get inside,” he said.
Williams said he heard at least 15 to 20 gunshots and his priority was to keep his family safe.
"Gratitude to these police officers who are out here night and day in the middle of a flood, who are trying to serve and protect," Williams said. "Unfortunately this is back to normal."
Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said this is about the 15th officer involved shooting in Houston this year.
"I've been amazed we haven't had an officer-involved (shooting) in well over 100 days in Houston,” he said.
Several patrol and narcotics officers who were involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave.
The suspects could face charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
