A retired police officer and a burglary suspect were both hospitalized after exchanging gunshots in Highlands, Texas. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on East Wallisville Road and Thompson, near Highlands Junior High, at around 9:30 a.m. The altercation stemmed from home burglaries in the Highlands Crossing neighborhood.
One of the burglary victims called the retired police officer, prompting him to follow the suspect to the 1900 block of East Wallisville Road. The two got into a physical altercation before firing several gunshots at each other.
Both men were airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. The retired officer is said to be in his 60s. A witness at the scene reported seeing the men on the ground before hearing gunshots. One of the bullets fired went through the witness’s red truck.
The witness reportedly helped the retired officer and disarmed the suspected burglar until authorities arrived on the scene. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident.