According to police, a woman had a friend with her for protection when her ex came to pick up his belongings. Gunfire rang out while kids were in the home.
HOUSTON — A man is dead in what police say was a shooting tied to domestic violence. They say a man shot and killed another man who was assaulting a woman at a home in northeast Houston, while two children were inside.
It happened on Hoffman Street near Bennington. Police say an ex-boyfriend was trying to get his belongings from his ex-girlfriend. According to Houston police, out of fear, a woman had another man there just in case her ex-boyfriend tried to hurt her when he came to get his stuff.
Her instinct turned out to be correct because investigators say her ex started beating her and then turned his attention to the male friend, too, when he tried to intervene.
Police say the friend then grabbed his gun from his truck and warned the woman’s ex to stop hitting her. When the ex didn’t stop, police say the friend shot and killed him.
“We do have footage of the incident and have already viewed it and seen it,” said Lt. Horelica with the Houston Police Department. “It was a pretty brutal assault on the female. There was another female and two children upstairs. Evidently during the ordeal, the two children did not wake up.”
As for the woman’s friend, he was taken into police custody after being found on the city’s west side. No charges have been filed just yet, but HPD says that could change.
We’ll be following to see how that develops.
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Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.