An Harris County deputy was injured after an accidental shooting, after a 3-year-old gained access to a firearm, authorities said.
An Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured on Tuesday, January 27, after, according to preliminary information released by local authorities, a 3-year-old gained access to a firearm and an accidental shooting occurred at a home in Spring.
According to posts on social media from the Precinct 4 constable’s office, led by Mark Herman, the off-duty deputy was struck by the gunfire. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in its own post that the incident occurred at the deputy’s home in Spring and that he was transported to a hospital for treatment for injuries that are not life-threatening.
What authorities reported about the accidental shooting
The initial version of the incident was released by the Precinct 4 constable’s office via social media. In that message, the department noted that preliminary information indicates a 3-year-old accessed a firearm and the deputy was wounded by the gunfire.
Separately, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office also posted on social media that the deputy was transported to a hospital and was being treated for a non-fatal injury. Neither post detailed how the child gained access to the weapon nor the exact circumstances of the shooting inside the home.
Where the accidental shooting occurred and at what time
According to posts from the Sheriff’s Office and the Precinct 4 constable’s office, the incident occurred around midday on Tuesday. The authorities located the scene at the 20200 block of Woodsboro Court in Spring.
The agencies did not publicly disclose whether there were other people present at the time of the shooting, nor did they offer more details about what happened inside the residence. It was also not specified how much time elapsed between the incident and the deputy’s transport to the hospital.
Ongoing investigation and undisclosed details
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the case. So far, the department has not identified the injured deputy and has not provided additional information about his condition beyond noting that the injury is not life-threatening.
In the original report, Houston Public Media noted that the sheriff’s office did not respond about the child’s relationship to the deputy when asked. That information was not included in the social media posts, and, to date, it has not been publicly confirmed whether the child lived in the home or what his relationship to the deputy was.
Details about the weapon involved, whether it was loaded or secured, nor whether safety measures were in place inside the home have not been disclosed. Authorities have not reported on arrests, citations, or charges related to this case.
Health status of the deputy after the accidental shooting
The only medical information released by authorities is that the deputy’s injury is not considered life-threatening. The Sheriff’s Office said he was being treated at a local hospital, without specifying the medical facility or the type of care required.
The lack of additional information is common in developing investigations, especially when the identity of the deputy has not been disclosed and when authorities continue to gather data to reconstruct what happened.
