Man shot by HPD after being mistaken for burglary suspect

HOUSTON (KIAH) – Houston police have changed their story after officers shot and killed a 19-year-old man while responding to a burglary call Wednesday.

On June 5, Houston police responded to the Flats on Tanglewide apartment complex located at 2630 Tanglewilde Street. A woman called police and told them she saw three armed men trying to break into her unit through surveillance cameras.

Police said one of the suspects turned the camera away during the crime, but the women were able to observe the suspects, who are described as three black men.

During the situation, HPD said the woman also called a male family member who arrived on scene before officers and discovered the burglars had fled the scene.

Police arrived shortly after and quickly located the woman’s family member who also matched the description of one of the burglars. HPD reported that as they ordered the man to stop, they allegedly saw that he had a gun pointed in the officer’s direction.

HPD Officers J. Simon and S. Salameh then shot the man, hitting him in the leg. The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers later identified the man who was shot as a family member of the woman who first called police. The investigation is currently looking into whether the man fired a gun during the situation.

As is typical in police-involved shooting incidents within Houston city limits, this matter is being investigated by HPD’s Special Investigations Unit, Division of Internal Affairs and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.