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1 Houston police officer killed, another wounded; suspect shot and in custody

Sgt. Harold Preston was with HPD for 41 years

2 police officers shot in Southwest Houston; suspect in custody, HPD says

HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was killed and a teenager and another officer were wounded Tuesday morning when a man opened fire on law enforcement responding to a domestic disturbance call, authorities said.

Police Chief Art Acevedo said officers arrived at the apartment in southwest Houston around 8 a.m. where they met a woman who said she was moving out and needed to retrieve her belongings, but that her husband would not let her in.

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About an hour and a half later, the woman’s 14-year-old son opened the apartment door and 51-year-old Elmer Manzano came out and began shooting at the officers who returned fire, Acevedo said during a news conference.

Sgt. Harold Preston was shot multiple times, including in the head, and died at a hospital, Acevedo said. Officer Courtney Waller was shot in the arm and is in stable condition at a hospital, he said.

Manzano and the 14-year-old were also shot and are expected to survive. Acevedo said he expects Manzano to be charged with murder and that police have repeatedly responded to domestic calls at the home.

A SWAT team and other emergency personnel surrounded the building and Manzano surrendered around 10:30 a.m., Acevedo said.

Acevedo said Manzano has an extensive criminal history but declined to provide details.

Elmer Manzano (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

About the Authors
Ben Spicer headshot

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

David Ibañez headshot

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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