Two police officers were shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Texas.
Officer Courtney Waller and Sgt. Harold Preston were reportedly shot by 51-year-old Elmer Manzano when they arrived at a Houston apartment complex to handle a domestic violence case.
As the authorities confirmed, the officers were met with gunfire as they escorted Manzano’s estranged wife to the man’s apartment after she wanted to get some of her items back on Tuesday morning.
After the shooting at the Richmond Manor condo, both officers were transported to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Shortly after his hospitalization at the Memorial Hermann Hospital, Preston, who was just about to retire after working for the department for 41 years, succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
According to the reports, Preston was shot in the head two times. He also suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. As the police claimed, the police veteran also had a bullet wedged in his spine.
While the police veteran succumbed to his injuries, his partner, who sustained a gunshot wound to the arm, is expected to make a recovery.
“We’ve lost a wonderful human being,” Chief Art Acevedo of the Houston Police Department expressed.
As Mayor Sylvester Turner added during the press conference, he wants the public to thank the deceased officer and “celebrate his life of service and commitment and dedication to this city some 41 years that he’s been a police officer with the city of Houston.”
“I want us to lift up his family, specifically I want us to lift up his young daughter. I want us to lift up his mom and his dad, other relatives, friends and loved ones,” the mayor added.
Sending prayers for Preston’s family and Waller’s quick recovery.
Replaced!