Five officers injured in Houston gunfight, officials say

HOUSTON – Five Houston police officers were injured Monday as they tried to execute a drug-related search warrant, authorities said.

Four of the officers were shot, and one was hurt during the exchange of gunfire, which took place in a southeastern Houston neighborhood. Two people were shot and killed by return gunfire from officers, Houston police said.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters Monday evening that more than a dozen officers went to the home on the 7800 block of Harding Street, where a neighbor had reported that drugs were being sold.

“Immediately upon reaching the door, the officers came under fire from one or two suspects inside the house,” Acevedo said.

Two of the wounded officers were in critical but stable condition, he said. The two other wounded officers are expected to make a full recovery but will remain hospitalized for observation.

A fifth officer sustained a knee injury but was not shot, said Acevedo, who did not release the names of the officers or provide additional information about the two deceased people.

At the news conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner applauded the efforts of law enforcement and first responders.

“That has been a tough day for our city, but I want to encourage all Houstonians to pray for our police officers,” he said.

Denise Salazar, a 19-year-old who lives half a block away from where Monday’s shootings took place, told the Washington Post that she heard more than 20 gunshots during the exchange.

A number of schools are nearby, and there is a regular police presence in the neighborhood, she said.

“When I heard (the gunshots), I thought they were fireworks, but then they went off again, and that’s when I was like, No, they’re not fireworks,” Salazar said. “This doesn’t happen often.”

Salazar said a mother and her 2-year-old daughter were slain about a block away in 2015.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said in a statement that the state would deploy any resources necessary as police continued their investigation.

“This evening’s horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe,” Abbott said. “… I ask all Texans to join Cecilia (Abbott, the first lady) and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities.”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, tweeted out further support for the officers: “Pray for these brave officers and their families,” Crenshaw said. “They go into harm’s way so that our communities can be safe. God bless them.”

Joe Gamaldi, president of the Houston Police Officer’s Union, spoke at a news conference in support of his wounded comrades.

“We are sick and tired of having targets on our back,” he said, “when all we’re trying to do is protect this community and protect these families.”