Authorities said that a Texas deputy constable who was working at a Houston mall as a moonlighter was shot to death by his gun in a fight with a man Wednesday afternoon.
They said that Deputy Neil Adams was at the PlazAmericas mall and got into a physical altercation with a suspect around 4 p.m.
Troy Finner, Chief of Houston Police, stated Wednesday night at a press conference that Adams may have been responding to a disturbance in a store when violence occurred.
Finner stated that two Houston police officers were dispatched to assist an officer at the mall. Finner also said that they found the suspect in the mall’s food court.
He said, "He had a sharp-edged knife and came at the officers."
They opened fire and ended the threat. The suspect was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Police earlier stated that the deputy was also taken to the hospital after the initial shooting.
Roy Rogers, Precinct 1 constable in San Jacinto County said Wednesday that Adams was among his deputies. Adams is a veteran of nearly 10 years responsible for environmental enforcement.
Rogers stated at the press conference, "We lost one our heroes." Rogers said, "He was a great man. He worked hard to care for his family and to care for the county's constituents.
PlazAmericas can be found in the Sharpstown neighborhood.
Houston police were still investigating the shooting of the officer. Houston Police Department and Harris County District Attorney's Office are investigating the incident because officers opened fire.
