3 HPD officers shot: Police get evidence from Fifth Ward’s home after defying Roland Caballero
Roland Caballero opened fire on officers after a chase, according to police sources. He was taken to hospital after police said he suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.
Two of the three officers who were shot have now been released from the hospital and are recovering at home, according to police.
Caballero has had multiple prior charges in Harris County, including more aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Friday morning, Houston police and Houston fire officials were seen rummaging through evidence at the home in the 1800 block of Lockwood, where the suspect was barricaded.
The house was in poor condition. All the windows were broken and there was even a large hole in the side, apparently caused by officers trying to reach the suspect during a standstill.
HAPPENING NOW: The Houston fire broke out at the home where a gun suspect barricaded himself before being arrested.
Firefighters have pulled out some of the machines and are opening up what could be a safety gun. We watched as investigators took out some items and packed them up as evidence pic.twitter.com/WR992cPFub
– Charly Edsitty (@ CharlyABC13) January 28, 2022
At one point, fire officials could be seen using the tools to break through what appeared to be a gun safe.
Investigators are gathering evidence at the scene.
WATCH: Surveillance video shows moment of gunfight exchanged between officers and suspects
It all started around 2:42 p.m. Thursday in the 1500s of Tralle Street, when officers were responding to a nuisance call. Police said Caballero left the scene as soon as he spotted the officers.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, Caballero dashed out onto McGowen and Hutchins Streets, where he immediately shot at officers as they arrived.
ABC13’s Ted Oberg analyzed the shooting and possible weapons used in the incident. We learned from HPD that the pistol Caballero used may have had a small switch added. Thus, it turned his ordinary Glock pistol, which fires a bullet every time the trigger is pulled, into a machine gun.
According to evidence recovered from investigators, more than 80 shots were fired.
The officers managed to shoot back Caballero. After getting out of the car, Caballero hit a white Mercedes Benz right in front of the gun, Finner said.
WATCH: Video shows woman suspected of theft after opening fire on officers
That’s when he led the officers in another chase, which ended at the house on Lockwood. There, Caballero barricaded himself for hours, but eventually surrendered and was arrested around 7 p.m., according to Finner.
Officers shot at the scene on McGowen Street were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the officers was shot in the arm, a second was shot in the leg and a third was shot in the leg, authorities said.
ORIGINAL REPORT: HPD said the suspect accused of shooting 3 officers is currently in custody after hours of deadlock
The injured officers were identified as 35-year-old Officer Gadson, 32-year-old Officer Hayden and 28-year-old Officer Alvarez.
In an update Friday morning, HPD said Officers Gadson and Hayden have both been discharged. Officer Alvarez is still hospitalized but in stable condition, police said.
UPDATE: 💙 Great news reports that Officers Gadson and Hayden have been discharged.
Officer Alvarez remains hospitalized in stable condition.
3 officers were shot Thursday afternoon (January 27) in the 2500 block of Hutchins St. #hounews https://t.co/sZjqj0MB1r
– Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 28, 2022
“I want everyone, all of our leaders, no more excuses, everyone to play an active and intentional role and do whatever you can to fight it. gun violence,” Finner said at a Thursday night briefing. “It’s not a difficult thing.”
Finner’s call to action comes as it is the second shooting involving law enforcement in the Houston area within a week. Last weekend, Corporal Charles Galloway of Harris County was shot dead in an ambush while blocking traffic.
The suspect in Galloway’s murder, Oscar Rosales, 51, was arrested Wednesday after he was found at a hotel in Ciudad de Acuña, Mexico, according to US Deputy Marshal Cameron Welch.
WATCH: 3 Policias baleados Desués de persecución en el centro de Houston
SEE MORE: ABC13’s exclusive video shows suspect chasing car near downtown and wounding 3 officers in gunfight
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