The northbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft remained closed Monday night following a police chase that ended with gunfire in the afternoon.
Houston police reported that earlier in the day, a man had abducted his wife and child at gunpoint after an assault incident on Sunday. Authorities located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but he fled, initiating a chase.
According to HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr., the suspect fired shots twice at police during the pursuit. Cell phone footage, shared exclusively with ABC13, captured a slow-speed chase along Hillcroft near Gulfton, showing a tactical unit closely trailing the suspect’s black Toyota 4-Runner with the driver’s door open.
Around 4:30 p.m., the suspect drove onto the Southwest Freeway. As the situation intensified, HPD officers executed a PIT maneuver to end the chase.
Three officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect, and safely rescued the woman and child.
“Police did an outstanding job,” Chief Diaz said. “I can’t thank them enough because it’s real-time.”
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, while both hostages were unharmed, authorities confirmed.
