Man wanted to shoot deputy in northern Harris County taken into custody

HOUSTON – A man wanted in connection with the murder of a police officer in northern Harris County was arrested Tuesday night.

The shooting was reported at around 5:50 pm in the Forestburg area and Veterans Memorial units.

Harris County sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the man believed to be the sniper, identified as Moises Martinez, 37, was arrested after a big hunt that lasted more than three hours.

More than a dozen law enforcement vehicles were on site, while dozens of police and police officers searched the area.

Gonzalez said the shooting happened when two deputies responded to a report by a suspicious person in the neighborhood. He said that when they arrived, a man pulled out a gun and started shooting at them. He said that one of the deputies was hit several times and the other managed to respond. He said the man fled the scene.

The sheriff said the injured deputy, whom he identified only as Deputy Barragan, 35, suffered injuries to his hands, cheeks and back. Gonzalez said Barragan is listed in a stable condition and should be fine.

Gonzalez said the injured deputy has been in the sheriff’s office for 18 months, but worked for a different agency for eight years before becoming a Harris County deputy.

The sheriff said he believed Martinez had two arrest warrants open at the time of the crime.

This developing story will be updated.