A veteran Texas Police officer was shot dead in a 'disturbance' outside a grocery store in a 'senseless act of violence,&#...
A veteran Texas Police officer was shot dead in a 'disturbance' outside a grocery store in a 'senseless act of violence,' according to officials and reports.
The slain officer, Richard Houston, was shot twice on Friday when he and other officers with the Mesquite Police Department responded to an Albertson's grocery store at 1500 South Beltline Road at 1.40 pm. Further details on what caused that disturbance have yet to be shared.
Houston, a 21 year-veteran of his department, was pronounced dead at 2.11 pm at nearby Baylor Hospital. He was a married father to three young children.
The department has yet to publicly identify Houston's killer, who was shot once during the altercation, as of Sunday night. He is in critical condition at a local hospital, according to WFAA.
It is unclear who fired their weapon first.
The slain officer, Richard Houston (pictured), was shot twice on Friday when he and other officers with the Mesquite Police Department responded to an Albertson's grocery store at 1.40 pm
Houston (pictured top left) is survived by his wife and three children
'This was a senseless act of violence that ripped a loving father and husband from his family,' Chief David Gill said tearfully on Friday evening.
'He was a good man, a good friend, a good officer.'
Witnesses told the outlet they were frightened when they heard four to six gunshots.
'It's very close to home. I live on the other side of this Albertson's - it's scary,' one woman at the scene said. 'Whether it's a victim or it's a police officer, nobody deserves to be hurt like that.'
The 21-year department veteran is survived by a wife and three children, the department said in a Facebook post.
Witnesses told the outlet they were frightened when they heard four to six gunshots outside the Mesquite Albertson's (pictured) at 1500 South Beltline Road
A cadre of police officers could be seen mourning together at the hospital before the officer was pronounced dead, and his body was brought by procession that evening to the medical examiner's office (pictured)
A memorial was held that evening outside the Mesquite Police Department, and local officials paid tribute to the fallen officer
'This was a senseless act of violence that ripped a loving father and husband from his family,' Chief David Gill said tearfully on Friday evening
A cadre of police officers could be seen mourning together at the hospital before the officer was pronounced dead, and his body was brought by procession that evening to the medical examiner's office.
A memorial was held that evening outside the Mesquite Police Department, and local officials paid tribute to the fallen officer.
'We know that there’s always a possibility where one of us will have to lay down our lives,' Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia told WFAA.
'This officer’s a hero. He did exactly that.'
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott paid tribute to the officer in a statement:
'Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the Mesquite Police Department officer who passed away this evening.'
'This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers take every day by putting their lives on the line to serve and protect our communities,' he added.
Officer Richard Houston, right, is pictured with his wife, left, and three children
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