Watch: Houston Police, Texas Trooper Stop Armed Man Accused of Firing at Vehicles

Body camera footage shows Houston police officers and a Texas DPS trooper opening fire on a suspect with a rifle accused of shooting at passing vehicles.
Sept. 16, 2026
Add Us On Google

What to Know

  • Houston police officers and a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper confronted an armed man accused of firing a rifle at passing vehicles from a front porch on Aug. 14.
  • After the suspect, Demetri O’Neal Thomas, allegedly refused commands to drop his rifle and raised the weapon, police officers and the trooper shot and wounded him.
  • Three people struck by the suspect's gunfire were hospitalized in stable condition, and Thomas faces multiple aggravated assault charges while remaining hospitalized.

More on OFFICER.com

The Hidden Impact of Police Body Cameras on Officer Safety and Decision-Making

  • Habit formation around camera use typically takes around eight weeks but can be complicated by ingrained behaviors.
  • Policies must be carefully examined and updated to prevent cameras from causing delays or safety risks, ensuring officers can respond without hesitation.

Check out this story about bodycams and decision-making.

Houton police and a Texas trooper shot and wounded an armed man accused of firing on passing vehicles from a front porch last month, and recently released body camera footage captured the confrontation.

The shooting happened at around 11 a.m. Aug. 14 when Houston officers responded to calls about a man with a rifle firing at motorists, the police department stated in a news release. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was flagged down by bystanders, who pointed in the direction of the suspect.

When police officers arrived, they found the armed suspect, later identified as Demetri O’Neal Thomas, on the front porch of a home.

Thomas was ordered to drop his rifle, but he refused. The suspect eventually raised his weapon, and officers and the trooper opened fire.

Thomas was struck by the gunfire, and he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Three victims with gunshot wounds from the suspect's attack on passing vehicles were also taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Thomas faces multiple charges, including four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He remains hospitalized.

About the Author

Joe Vince
Email

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates

Related

Sponsored
Sponsored

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!