HOUSTON, TX – Houston Police officers intervened to save the life of a 54-year-old homeless man after he threatened self-harm during an encounter tied to a criminal mischief call near Antoine Drive and Interstate 10.
The incident began when a business owner observed the man on camera throwing a brick through the front window of an eyeglass business with glass in the front of the building, police said.
Officers located a possible suspect in the area. Police said when they approached him, he pulled out a pocket knife and held it to his throat while threatening to harm himself.
HPD said the man then ran onto the I-10 main lanes. Officers did not pursue him on foot. Instead, they got into their vehicles and drove around, locating him shortly after near the IKEA store.
Police said the man again threatened to harm himself and sustained minor cuts to his neck. Officers attempted to gain compliance using soft impact, less-lethal tools, but those efforts were unsuccessful. A K-9 officer then deployed a Taser, which police said caused the man to drop the knife so he could be taken into custody.
He was transported to a medical facility for treatment. HPD said no charges are being filed at this time and the man is being treated for mental health concerns.
