Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Houston mass shooting: Five children and three adults found dead after police shoot-out

A 49-year-old man surrendered to officers

Agency
Sunday 09 August 2015 13:05 BST
Comments
In this image made from a video, authorities investigate after reports of an active shooter in a home Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Houston
In this image made from a video, authorities investigate after reports of an active shooter in a home Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Houston (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eight people — including five children and three adults — were found dead inside a Texas home following the arrest of a man who exchanged gunfire with police, authorities in the US state have said.

Deputies were called to a home in the Houston area late Saturday to perform a welfare check, Harris County Sheriff spokesman Thomas Gilliland told KHOU-TV. Gilliland said deputies subsequently received information indicating that a man inside the home was wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family member.

While waiting for a High Risk Operations Unit to arrive at the scene, deputies spotted the body of a juvenile through a window, Gilliland said. Four deputies then forced their way into the home, prompting the 49-year-old male suspect inside to begin shooting. Deputies pulled back and waited for the operations unit to arrive.

The man surrendered about an hour later.

"At this time we have what appears to be five children and three adults," Gilliland said. "Ages and genders we do not have, and cause of death we do not have. The medical examiner will have to determine a cause of death."

The relationship between the suspect and the unidentified victims wasn't immediately known. No further details were released.

AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in