Category: Harris County Sheriff|Police Shooting

In northwest Harris County, Texas, a deputy-involved shooting left one person dead and another injured on Friday, March 16, 2018. At about 5:28 a.m., deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call about a shooting, and they responded in the 1700 block of Seven Pines Drive. An individual called 9-1-1 after hearing gunshots and arguing at a neighbor’s home. Deputies established contact with a male suspect in the residence, who is the homeowner. A deputy and the suspect got into a physical altercation, and the woman in the home screamed. When a neighbor heard the screaming, she went to the scene. The deputy then allegedly shot the 34-year-old suspect, killing him. The name of the deceased has not been released. Also, the neighbor at the scene was shot in the lower part of the arm, but it is not known who fired the shot that struck her. There was uncertainty regarding whether or not the suspect had a gun at that time. None of the deputies were injured during the altercation or alleged deputy-involved shooting.

The name of the deputy involved in the alleged shooting has not been released. Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said the deputy is a 7-year veteran with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and is on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. The incident is being investigated by the Texas Rangers as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Homicide and Internal Affairs divisions of the HCSO.

As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.

–Guest Contributor

Mark Rene Flores was shot to death by a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy on January 29, 2018.  Information in this post was obtained from a custodial death report filed by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department with the Attorney General of Texas.  Therefore, our law firm does not have personal information regarding information in this post.

Allegedly, a Sheriff’s deputy responded to reports of a stolen vehicle in a parking lot in West Harris County.  As the deputy approached the vehicle, Mr. Flores exited the vehicle and allegedly displayed a knife.  He then allegedly raised the knife, chest level, and advanced toward the deputy.  The deputy then shot Mr. Flores multiple times in his upper torso.  Mr. Flores was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS personnel.

Police officers cannot use excessive force.  The United States Supreme Court has determined that police officers must act objectively reasonably in any situation related to the use of force.  This is a constitutional right.  We make no allegation in this post as to any wrongdoing, but instead are simply providing information.