Harris County I-45 shut down: Armed woman surrenders following hours-long standoff

I-45 standoff ends peacefully in Houston

After a lengthy standoff on Thursday afternoon, a woman peacefully surrendered to authorities. FOX 26's Abigail Dye has the story.

SPRING, Texas - An armed woman has surrendered to law enforcement after an hours-long standoff on the I-45 North Freeway that caused traffic to stand still.

I-45 standoff: Woman surrenders

Houston-area I-45 standoff: Full police report

A woman has surrendered to law enforcement after an hours-long standoff on the North Freeway. Authorities provided a full report following the standoff.

What we know:

According to the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, the incident occurred on I-45 near Cypresswood Drive. 

Traffic was shut down in both directions, and the southbound feeder road was closed off so drivers could leave the freeway.

Houston-area I-45 closed as woman sits on freeway, allegedly armed

The I-45 North Freeway was shut down in north Harris County on Thursday due to an allegedly armed woman sitting in a chair on the roadway. FOX 26's Abigail Dye reported near the scene as the scene continued for hours.

The constable’s office says their deputies were notified about an armed woman who was involved in a crash involving an 18-wheeler.

The woman started standing in the main lanes of the freeway. The constable’s office said the woman was refusing to comply or drop the weapon.

According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the woman, armed with a pistol, sat on a chair in the southbound main lanes. The sheriff said she was expressing suicidal thoughts.

Members of the Crisis Intervention Response Team communicated with the woman. A family member also came to the scene, according to Pct. 4.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., a SWAT team was able to approach the woman, and she was detained.

Officials at the scene said she was taken to a hospital for further assistance.

No one involved in the initial crash or the standoff was reported injured.

What we don't know:

There are allegations that the woman intentionally rear-ended the 18-wheeler before the standoff, but that has not been confirmed.

What you can do:

Anyone who needs help can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or chat with someone online at 988lifeline.