The body of a missing woman was found in the jaws of an alligator in Clear Lake bayou, prompting Houston police to shoot the alligator to recover her remains. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner revealed that over 260,000 criminal cases, including 4,017 sexual assault cases, were suspended due to a "lack of personnel" code over the past eight years, affecting about 10% of incident reports filed. The department is now reviewing all affected cases and working to contact potential victims, with plans to address the backlog and increase personnel. Mayor John Whitmire expressed concern and instructed Chief Finner to prioritize transparency and continue the review as a top priority.
Bodycam footage released by the Houston Police Department shows the response to an active shooter at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, where Genesse Ivonne Moreno opened fire before being shot and killed by off-duty police officers. Moreno's 7-year-old son was also shot and is in critical condition. The videos depict the chaotic scene as officers and churchgoers reacted to the gunfire, with Moreno claiming to have a bomb and spraying an unknown substance before being taken down. The incident is still under investigation, and law enforcement is working to ensure the safety of religious institutions.
The Houston Police Department released bodycam footage of the response to an active shooter at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, where Genesse Ivonne Moreno opened fire before being shot and killed by off-duty officers. Moreno's 7-year-old son was also shot and is fighting for his life. The released videos show the chaotic scene as officers and civilians reacted to the gunfire, with one officer seen praying before approaching the shooter. Moreno, who had a history of arrests, claimed to have a bomb and continued firing before being taken down. The incident is still under investigation.
The Houston Police Department has released body camera and surveillance footage of the Lakewood Church shooting on February 11, 2024, showing Genessee Moreno, 36, opening fire in the church lobby before being fatally shot by off-duty officers. The incident resulted in the death of Moreno, injuries to her 7-year-old son and a 47-year-old man, with the boy remaining in critical condition. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Houston rapper Lee Carter, also known as Viper, has been accused of kidnapping a pregnant woman off the street and holding her captive in his garage for at least four years. The woman was allegedly forced to have sex, fed only chips and snacks, and given drugs. Police found her in a malnourished and filthy state, and she reported being held against her will for years. Carter, a real estate broker and aspiring MBA student, has been charged with aggravated kidnapping and remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.
The parents of a 17-year-old girl who was shot and killed during a road rage incident met with Houston police to discuss the ongoing search for her killer. The victim, Louise Wilson, was driving to Galveston with friends and her boyfriend when she unintentionally swerved in front of the gunman's car to avoid another vehicle. The suspect then shot Louise, who later died from her injuries. The family is urging anyone with information to come forward, and the Houston Police Department is enhancing surveillance measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The family of a 17-year-old girl who was killed in a possible road rage shooting in downtown Houston is pleading for the killer to be caught. The incident occurred when the girl unintentionally swerved in front of a sedan, and an unknown suspect fired shots from the passenger side window, striking the girl and a backseat passenger. The girl managed to safely pull over before succumbing to her injuries. The Houston Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding the suspect, described as a man in his mid-20s. The victim's family is urging anyone with information to come forward, and a reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Dani Friedland, a missing California woman who had been receiving treatment for mental illness in Houston, was found safe in north Houston after being reported missing on November 26. Houston Police Department located her in the 3000 block of Collingsworth Street with no signs of foul play. The Friedland family expressed gratitude to the Houston community, HPD, Impact Houston church, local Jewish community, Houston Constables, homeless outreach teams, shelters, and the unhoused community for their support in finding Dani. They requested privacy and encouraged donations to homeless shelters and nonprofits.
A carjacking suspect died and a police officer was injured in a shootout following a pursuit on I-610 West Loop in Houston. The suspect crashed near Chimney Rock, and gunfire broke out between the suspect and officers. The injured officer is expected to recover, thanks to a good Samaritan who pulled him aside. The incident has led to the closure of all northbound lanes on the West Loop.
A man in Texas died after being shot and driven to a nearby airport, according to police. The 18-year-old man called his wife for help, and she picked him up despite shots being fired at the location. They then drove to William P. Hobby Airport, where another family member performed CPR until first responders arrived. The man was later pronounced dead. The incident is currently under investigation.
A hit-and-run incident in north Houston resulted in the death of a United States Postal Service worker. The postal worker was hit and thrown from his truck after another driver attempted to go around him while he was making a left turn. Good Samaritans rushed to help, but unfortunately, the postal worker did not survive. The suspect fled the scene, but the police are closing in on him with the help of license plate numbers. The investigation is ongoing.
Rudy Farias, the young man who went along with his mother's fabricated disappearance for eight years, has spoken out about being brainwashed by her. Farias explained that his mother manipulated and confused him, convincing him that he would get in trouble if he didn't participate in the lie. He felt mentally locked in and dependent on his mother, who was his only family and source of trust. Farias rarely left home during those eight years and experienced isolation and a lack of communication. While allegations of sexual assault were made, Farias clarified that boundaries were crossed but he was not sexually assaulted. The investigation is ongoing, and Farias hopes to live a normal life and find happiness.
The case of Rudy Farias, who went missing in 2015 and was recently discovered outside a church in southeast Houston, takes a new turn as a video emerges showing a mysterious man who never visited a nearby business but was seen hours before Farias was found. EquuSearch's Tim Miller believes investigators should identify if the man in the video is Rudy, as it could shift the investigation and challenge the theory that Farias was dumped at the church. Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner has seen the video and stated that they need to verify some things before making a determination. Farias' mother is scheduled to meet with investigators from HPD's Missing Persons Unit.
A K-9 dog named Aron died from heat exhaustion after being left in a running and air-conditioned patrol vehicle by its handler in Houston. The vehicle's engine shut off, and the cooling system failed to activate, leading to the dog's death. Texas ranks first in heat deaths, including those of animals, due to reasons such as leaving them in air-conditioned vehicles that malfunctioned and turned off, leaving them in the backyard without ample shade and water, and dogs improperly walking on pavement at peak temperatures.