In Houston, Texas (KTRK), the Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that two deputies mistook a Cloverleaf woman for an intruder and shot her inside her apartment on Saturday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, the deputies were responding to a burglary call at the Pines of Woodforest Apartments on Uvalde Road around 2:10 a.m. However, they did not find any intruders upon arrival.
While the deputies were still present, Robert Mitchell informed Eyewitness News that he believed he heard another break-in in the apartment above his.
“Sitting on my couch, I just started hearing glass breaking,” Mitchell recounted.
Mitchell stated that he dialed 911 and flagged down the deputies who had initially responded to the first burglary call.
Upon investigation, the deputies reportedly observed a broken window with raised blinds.
The sheriff’s office stated that its deputies announced their presence.
“I hear them knock on the door, sheriff’s office, nobody responded, and then maybe five seconds later I hear, ‘Gun,'” Mitchell recalled.
Deputies claimed to have seen a woman with a gun approaching the door and subsequently opened fire, striking a 28-year-old woman who resides in the apartment with her girlfriend.
The sheriff’s office disclosed on Saturday afternoon that one of the women had forgotten her keys and broke the window herself.
Subsequently, deputies found a firearm in the apartment, resembling the one they observed the woman carrying.
In cell phone footage provided to Eyewitness News, a woman can be seen being instructed to come downstairs after the shooting.
“I live here, please don’t shoot,” she exclaimed.
Deputies instructed her to kneel and handcuffed her.
The wounded woman was transported to the hospital and, according to a neighbor, returned to the apartment later that day.
“I absolutely wish I hadn’t called, but at the same time, it’s like I really didn’t have a choice because I was thinking about not only my safety and my son, I was thinking about her safety and her son as well,” Mitchell expressed.
Both deputies will be placed on leave pending the conclusion of an internal investigation. The case is also being referred to a grand jury, which handles officer-involved shootings.
As per HCSO policy, the sheriff’s office stated that body camera footage would be released within 45 days.
Individuals with information pertinent to this critical incident are encouraged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000.
