A man wanted for assault is dead after a high-speed chase and shooting in Brazoria County.
BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — A man wanted on assault charges is dead after a high-speed chase and officer-involved shooting in the Rosharon area early Thursday morning, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies initially responded to a disturbance call from a woman who feared the suspect might be heading to her home. The man had active warrants out for his arrest related to assault charges, according to authorities.
While the suspect wasn’t found at the woman’s residence, deputies began searching the area, the sheriff’s office said. That’s when they spotted a vehicle matching the suspect’s car commit a traffic violation. The driver then turned into the victim’s neighborhood. When deputies tried to pull him over, he sped away, leading to a chase.
Officials said the suspect drove at high speeds and even traveled the wrong way on a highway before crashing into a ditch and running on foot into a nearby wooded area along Valley Vista Drive.
Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and called in K-9 units, drones, and additional officers to help with the search. In the wooded area, the suspect reportedly pulled out a knife as deputies tried to take him into custody. At least two deputies fired their weapons.
The suspect was moved to a safe location and given emergency medical attention before being flown to a Houston-area hospital via Life Flight. He was later pronounced dead.
No deputies were seriously injured during the incident.
Per protocol, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave. The Texas Rangers are conducting an external investigation, alongside the sheriff’s internal review.
“The safety of our citizens remains our top priority,” the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We are grateful to serve the citizens of Brazoria County.”