One officer is killed and another is wounded after they were shot while responding to a domestic violence incident at a Houston apartment complex
- Authorities said Elmer Manzano, 51, shot Sgt Harold Preston and Officer Courtney Waller at Richmond Manor apartments in the 2600 block of Holly Hall
- Preston was shot in head and shoulder and died after being rushed to hospital
- Waller remains in the hospital after being shot in the arm, Houston police said
One officer has died and another remains in the hospital after they were shot by a suspect while responding to a domestic violence incident at an apartment complex in Houston.
Houston police identified both officers and the suspect during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said Elmer Manzano, 51, shot Sgt Harold Preston and Officer Courtney Waller at the Richmond Manor apartments in the 2600 block of Holly Hall.
Preston, who was a 41-year veteran of the department, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital after he was shot in the head twice and once in the shoulder.
Police also said Preston, who was preparing to retire this year, had a bullet lodged in his spine.
Authorities said Elmer Manzano (right), 51, shot Sgt Harold Preston (left) and Officer Courtney Waller Tuesday morning. Preston was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries
Waller, who has been at the department for three years, was shot in the arm and is expected to survive.
Both officers were rushed to a local hospital where Preston was pronounced dead.
‘We’ve lost just a wonderful human being,’ Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said during the press conference before introducing Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Turner encouraged the public to celebrate Preston’s life and service to the city of Houston.
‘I want us to lift up his family, specifically I want us to lift up his young daughter. I want us to lift up his mom and his dad, other relatives, friends and loved ones,’ Turner said.
Turner also said he wanted to lift up Waller and for him to have a ‘total and complete recovery’.
‘Pray for our city,’ Turner said. ‘2020 is a tough, tough year.
Chief Acevedo then took the podium to speak about the shootings.
Acevedo said the incident unfolded around 7.55am local time when the department received a call about a domestic disturbance at the Richmond Manor apartments.
Responding officers Upon arrival estranged wife of suspect
said she was moving out and wanted to get some items from the apartment
Acevedo said the officers spent nearly an hour in the parking lot speaking with the woman about the situation.
At about 9.25am, the suspect’s 14-year-old son who was with the mom unlocked the door and opened it.
‘When he opened the door he sees that his dad has armed himself with a firearm
suspect’s 14 year old son unlocked the door