A Harris County lawman and father of five was shot six times from behind early Thursday morning in Houston as he leaned into his patrol auto. The deputy was shot standing outside another deputy’s patrol auto talking to a trainee.
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A law enforcement spokeswoman in Harris County says the deputy constable is expected to survive.
“It was completely unprovoked”, she said.
The shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. CT after a female reserve deputy constable made a traffic stop. Surgeons are working to address several injuries, according to deputies, including two bullets lodged in his abdomen, and another near his heart.
A man matching the suspect’s description later showed up at a nearby fire station and is now being questioned as a person of interest, not a suspect, in the case. He comes from a law enforcement family, with three brothers who are law officers, and the Houston Chronicle reports he’s married to a Harris County sheriff’s deputy. “It’s going to be a long recovery, but we think he’s going to be OK”. “Her partner was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he’s in surgery as we speak”, said Kese Smith, Houston Police spokesperson. The person had not been arrested or charged, he said, but authorities also were not actively looking for anyone else.
According to Lt. Holland Jones, Deputy Clopton is an 11-year-veteran who mentors new officers on the force.
KTRK reported that the injured deputy constable was wearing a bulletproof vest when he was shot.
Smith says the deputy constable was shot multiple times from across the street while standing outside another deputy constable’s vehicle. He also added that he did not believe the shooting was related to the traffic stop.
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Houston police are investigating the motive for the attack.
