One man killed, another injured in deputy-involved shooting

SPRING, Texas (FOX 26) - The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that left a homeowner dead and his neighbor injured. It was reported at around 5:30 a.m. Friday on Seven Pines Drive in the Spring area.

Deputies have not yet released the homeowner’s name. They say he was 34 years old and originally from South Carolina.

Neighbors say it’s common to hear yelling coming from the home where the shooting took place, and that’s what Anne Herigstad heard early on Friday morning. This time she also heard something she’s not accustomed to hearing.

“Then I heard a shot and wasn’t really positive that it was a gunshot, and then I heard a few more, and a man and woman were arguing loudly, and then a police unit came up,” says Herigstad.

HCSO says a deputy arrived to the home following a reported domestic issue between the homeowner and his girlfriend.

Deputies tell FOX 26 News that the homeowner began struggling with the deputy inside the home and punches were thrown. Deputies say the girlfriend then screamed and the man who lives next door, after hearing the scream, ran over to help.

“During the physical struggle there, the deputy discharged his weapon one time, striking the suspect inside the home,” explains Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland. “The neighbor who came to help the deputy was also struck, non-life-threatening, in the lower part of the arm.”

Deputy Gilliland says it’s still unclear whether the homeowner had a weapon in hand. He says it’s also unclear who fired the shot that struck the neighbor in the arm.

Ken Lobo lives next door to the shooting scene and noticed his neighbor had an injured arm when he stepped outside on Friday morning.

“Lower arm, and he had it wrapped in a towel, and he was standing there and talking calmly with the police at the time before they even got him some treatment in the ambulance,” describes Lobo.

Deputies say the homeowner’s girlfriend was not injured. She was seen being comforted by friends and family outside the home.

“She’s pretty distraught, so I just hope that she can get over this okay,” adds Lobo.

“It was shocking to see all the police cars,” says Dawn Nicewonder, who lives down the block. “I’m sorry for the family. I really am. I know it’s going to be hard on them.”

HCSO tells FOX 26 that the deputy who fired the fatal shot is a 7-year veteran of the law enforcement agency. His name is not yet being released. Deputy Gilliland says he is now on standard paid administrative leave.

Meanwhile, the case is being investigated by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the HCSO Homicide Division and HCSO Internal Affairs.