Armed man killed after firing at SWAT officer during standoff in SE Houston

Armed man killed after firing at SWAT officer during standoff in SE Houston—

A man who barricaded himself inside a home with weapons was shot dead by a Houston Police Department SWAT officer on Monday afternoon.
Police say the suspect shot first at the officer.
The standoff, which lasted more than four hours, happened in the 6000 block of Bellfort Street after law officers tried to serve a warrant at the home.

HPD got a call for assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety at about 10:25 a.m.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office and Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 7 were also at the scene trying to serve the man with a warrant.
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Earlier today, Precinct 7 officials told KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry that the warrant concerned a sexual assault investigation involving the suspect, but HPD did not confirm that detail.
“We were assisting, so that will come out later on in the investigation,” HPD Assistant Chief James Skelton said in a press conference at the scene.

HPD officers arrived at 10:29 a.m. and activated SWAT for the barricaded suspect.
Negotiators from the Texas Attorney General’s Office attempted to communicate with the man for about an hour and a half, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
An Instagram profile appeared to post multiple videos from inside the home during the standoff, showing the nearby HPD vehicles, multiple guns and SWAT officers.
HPD did not confirm the identity of the profile, but officials confirmed they are investigating it.
“Rather die on my feet then [sic] to live on my knees,” the suspect allegedly posted during the standoff.

SEE ALSO: Woman taken into custody after man found stabbed at northwest Harris County home
According to police, the suspect eventually exited the home at about 12:30 p.m. armed with what authorities described as a high-powered rifle.
Officials said the suspect fired at officers, prompting a Houston police SWAT officer to return fire.

The suspect, identified by police only as a 36-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene by Houston Fire Department personnel around 12:30 p.m.
Police said the SWAT officer involved in the shooting is a 16-year veteran of tactical operations and was not injured.
Authorities confirmed no officers or civilians were hurt during the incident.
Police said three separate investigations are now underway, including a review of officer protocol, which is standard in officer-involved shootings.
Officials also said body camera footage from the incident will be released within 30 days, in accordance with department policy.
Investigators have not released additional details about the suspect, the weapon involved, or the original warrant that prompted the law enforcement operation.

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