Wisdom High School students safe after nearby officer-involved shooting, student was alleged suspect
HOUSTON - Houston police say a suspect is in custody after an officer-involved shooting that prompted a search and lockdown at nearby Wisdom High School.
According to HPD Chief Troy Finner, around 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, a Crime Suppression Team had a violent crew under surveillance. During the surveillance, gunfire was exchanged with the officers near an apartment complex in the 6400 block of Westheimer Road.
Finner said one suspect approximately 18-years-old was shot in the knee and a possible 17-year-old suspect was arrested on the scene.
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After the shooting, witnesses told officials a third suspect got a ride from a citizen. The citizen told investigators he thought he was giving the kid a ride back to Wisdom High School at 6529 Beverly Hill, and he was not aware he was involved in anything.
The suspect went inside the auditorium of Wisdom High School auditorium. At least 100 other students were inside the auditorium.
Around 2:11 p.m., police said the suspect had been taken into custody. According to Finner, agencies were able to get inside the school and arrest the suspect safely.
A gun was recovered at the scene where the suspect was arrested near the apartment complex.
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE: HPD Chief discusses officer-involved shooting, Wisdom High School lockdown
Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner gives details after an officer-involved shooting near an apartment complex in the 6400 block of Westheimer Road on Thursday afternoon where one suspect was wounded and police say a second suspect may have run into Wisdom High School.
Houston ISD confirmed that the school was placed on lockdown.
"This is a notification for students and families of Wisdom High School," the district wrote on Twitter. "The school is currently on lockdown due to suspicious activity in the area. No one will be allowed in or out of the campus until the lockdown is lifted. Please await further communication to come momentarily."
Police say everyone at the school is safe and no one was injured. They are going to do another search of the school as a precaution to ensure no weapon was left behind.
"We’ve got three suspects in custody," said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. "At least two of them are students at the school."
According to Finner, one of the suspects was driven to the school from a citizen.
"He thought he was giving him a ride back to the school," said Finner. "He gave the kid a ride back to the school, didn’t know he was involved in anything."
"Have to give credit to the most high God, because we haven’t seen any issues or casualties, and that’s a blessing," said Wisdom High School Principal Kennth Brantly.
"As any parent, it’s the worst case scenario," said Tas Rahman. "[We’re] hoping everything comes out the best but preparing for the worst."
"I don’t understand how that can happen," said Lisa Domingue. "The school is supposed to be locked down, the doors are supposed to be locked. How?"
Finner says Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer is one of the charges to be filed against a suspect, but he can not say for sure what other charges will be filed at this time.
The investigation continues. The public is asked to avoid the area.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.