Police are still hunting a gunman who shot three Texas constable deputies outside a Houston nightclub. The shooting occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday outside the 45 Norte Sports Bar in north Houston.
Police hunting gunman in Houston
Three deputies were working an extra gig at the club when they left outside to address what may have been a robbery. According to Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief James Jones, two deputies arrested a potential suspect when a second suspect arrived and opened fire with an AR-15 hitting both. Police have not explained what this “side job” entailed for these constable deputies.
The officers have been identified as Deputy Kareem Atkins and Deputy Darrell Garrett. Atkins died of his injuries while Garrett was in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
HPD detained an individual and interviewed him but released him, believed he was to be the shooter. Houston Police said they hope they have a suspect is in custody soon and swift justice for the shooter. The deputies were described as “best friends” and “brothers” doing everything together.
Local and national figures reacting to shooting
Police described the suspect as a heavy-set, bearded Hispanic man in his early 20s. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Police described the shooting as an ambush. The deputy’s deaths happened to come on the national memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C.
President Biden addressed the situation, saying, “We mourn the fallen. We pray for the recovery of the wounded.” Texas AG Ken Paxton took to Twitter saying, “This was an evil act that took this (deputy’s) life. …I hope these perpetrators are apprehended fast.” Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Houston police or the Houston Crime Stoppers. The 100 Club is giving Deputy Atkins $20,000 to help with expenses.
