Video Captures Terrifying Ambush Shooting of Houston Officer
Source Officer.com News
Houston police released horrifying video footage from an ambush shooting over two weeks ago that left an officer wounded and a suspect dead.
The attack happened early Dec. 2 when Sgt. Mauricio Valle was helping to track down two suspects—one identified as Edwin Joey Villegas—in connection with burglaries in the city's southwest area, KTRK-TV reports. Police had lost sight of the suspects, and security camera footage shows Valle driving up behind a building in his unmarked vehicle.
Villegas also can be seen in the video as he hides between a stack of wooden pallets and a truck. When Valle stops his cruiser, Villegas pops out and opens fire.
Valle was struck multiple times, but he still was able to get out of his cruiser and fire back. While Valle fell to the ground, Villegas fled on foot a short way before and also collapse from apparent gunshot wounds.
Valle's colleagues performed life-saving measures on Villegas, and medics continued that work, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Footage from Valle's body camera captured officers helping the wounded sergeant, who told his fellow officers to "tourniquet me" after identifying where he had been shot.
Valle was wounded in the arm, leg and side from the exchange. At the time of the shooting, Chief Troy Finner said Valle's tactical vest probably saved his life, and the sergeant is expected to recover following a surgery.
The department continues to investigate the shooting.
