Deputies said three children were inside a nearby home after the suspect ran from a business break-in.
HOUSTON, TX — A suspected burglar opened fire on Harris County sheriff’s deputies early Saturday and then forced his way into a nearby home where children were inside, authorities said. Deputies returned fire, and the suspect was later found wounded and taken into custody.
The episode began as a reported break-in at a small business and quickly escalated into a dangerous standoff that put a family at risk. Investigators said the suspect fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with deputies, then pushed into a residence in the same area. Deputies secured two adults outside and then moved in to get the children out, the sheriff’s office said. No deputies and no children were hurt. The suspect remained hospitalized while investigators worked to decide what charges to file.
Deputies were called around 4 a.m. to a burglary report in the 14900 block of Sellers Road in the Aldine area, according to investigators. The business was a barbershop, and the owner said he watched the break-in unfold on security cameras before calling for help. “He’s in there with the flashlight,” barbershop owner Oswaldo Bravo said, describing what his family saw on the video feed. Deputies arrived and the suspect slipped out a back door, authorities said. A short time later, investigators said, the suspect fired at deputies and three deputies exchanged gunfire with him. The suspect ran behind the business and disappeared into the neighborhood as deputies chased him on foot, authorities said.
Assistant Chief John Nanny of the sheriff’s office said the suspect knocked on the door of a nearby residence and, when it opened, forced his way inside. Investigators said the adults in the home were able to get out, but deputies soon learned three children between ages 5 and 7 were still inside. Nanny said deputies initially did not know whether the suspect had barricaded himself alone or whether residents were inside, and the uncertainty shaped their next move. Once deputies confirmed children were in the home, they went in rather than waiting for a tactical team, he said. Detectives later found the suspect with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained in custody while recovering.
The incident unfolded in a part of north Harris County where homes and small businesses sit close together, and a suspect running on foot can move quickly from a commercial strip into residential streets. Investigators did not immediately identify the suspect or say whether he had a weapon before deputies arrived, but they described him as armed when the shooting began. The sheriff’s office did not say how many shots were fired or whether any bullets struck nearby buildings. Bravo said the break-in and police response disrupted what is usually one of his busiest days of the week, with repairs and insurance calls replacing a full book of appointments. He said the barbershop had been targeted before, and the latest damage meant canceling customers while trying to get the shop back in order.
Authorities said the most serious potential charge under review was attempted capital murder in connection with the gunfire directed at deputies. Investigators said the case remained active while the suspect was treated at the hospital, a factor that can affect the timing of a formal interview and booking. Deputies involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave, a standard step after an exchange of gunfire as agencies document what happened, collect evidence, and review body-worn camera video when available. Investigators typically work to map the sequence of events by examining the scene, recovering shell casings, and interviewing witnesses, including residents who were inside the home or nearby. Officials did not announce a court date or say when a charging decision would be finalized.
In a written statement released after the arrest, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said deputies responded to a burglary call that “quickly escalated into a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation” and said the suspect opened fire first. Gonzalez said deputies returned fire and that no deputies were injured. He said the suspect then fled and forced entry into a nearby trailer home where a family, including young children, was inside. Gonzalez said deputies secured the adult occupants and then made entry to remove the children and take the suspect into custody. “Our deputies acted swiftly, decisively, and with remarkable restraint,” Gonzalez said, adding that their priority was protecting innocent lives and resolving the situation safely.
Neighbors in the area were left to sort through the sound of sirens and the sudden rush of patrol vehicles before daylight, a common shock in incidents that begin with a property crime and end with a gun battle. Authorities did not say whether the children witnessed the suspect’s entry or the police response from inside the home, and investigators did not release details about how deputies guided them out. Officials also did not say whether the suspect knew the family or chose the home at random while trying to escape. Those questions, along with a clearer timeline of when shots were fired, are often addressed later through investigative reports and court filings. For the family, the outcome meant an abrupt end to a frightening morning, with adults safely outside and children brought out without injury.
Bravo, the barbershop owner, said watching a break-in unfold on cameras felt surreal and fast, with the call to 911 quickly followed by police arriving in force. He described a day that should have been packed with clients instead turning into cleanup and repairs. Authorities said the incident remained under investigation, and they urged anyone with video from the area around Sellers Road and Henry Road to speak with investigators as they work to confirm the suspect’s path and actions. Officials did not say whether additional suspects were involved in the burglary call. They also did not say whether deputies recovered a firearm at the scene, though investigators said the suspect fired at deputies.
By Saturday evening, the sheriff’s office said the suspect was still recovering in the hospital while investigators prepared a case file for prosecutors. The next milestone is a formal charging decision and the suspect’s first court appearance once he is medically cleared, authorities said.
Author note: Last updated February 21, 2026.