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According to investigators, a man who was reportedly knocking on doors in east Harris County, potentially attempting to break into homes, was shot and killed by a 14-year-old boy on Thursday morning.
Responding to a call for service at a residence in the 14400 block of Brownsville Street just before 7 a.m., the Harris County Sheriff’s Office found the man had been shot and killed.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that the man approached the home and appeared to be tampering with the front door. It remains unclear whether he managed to unlock and open the door or was simply attempting to gain entry by turning the doorknob.
“A 14-year-old boy who was home alone inside the residence became alarmed, grabbed a pistol, and walked to the doorway,” Gonzalez explained. “He saw a man he didn’t recognize and reportedly fired five or six shots from inside the home, striking the man.”
The incident unfolded as neighbor Araceli Herrera observed suspicious behavior outside her property. Security cameras captured the man, dressed in a heavy coat, backpack, and gloves, wandering around the property before moving to a neighboring house.
Herrera recounted witnessing the gunfire as the teen opened the door and fired multiple shots at the man.
Several neighbors reported encounters with someone matching the man’s description attempting to break in and pulling on door knobs between 6:15 a.m. and 6:20 a.m. Some neighbors mentioned the man was soliciting money.
Investigators noted that the man was acquainted with the homeless outreach team in the area and had been contacted by them in the past.
The teenage boy and his family are cooperating with investigators, according to HCSO.
“They have a right to protect their home. They have a right to feel safe in their home,” Sheriff Gonzalez emphasized, referencing a sign on the gate warning intruders of potential consequences.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.