BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — Deputies shot and killed a man at the end of a multi-county chase after he kidnapped his common-law wife and 3-year-old son Tuesday morning, law enforcement officials said. The woman and child were reportedly physically unharmed.
The chase ended in Chambers County after about 45 minutes when deputies blocked off the entrance to a neighborhood the man was trying to get into. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthrone said the man may have been trying to pick up two of his other children at a home in the neighborhood.
According to Hawthorne, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office initiated the chase around 8:20 a.m. after the Harris County Sheriff's Office issued a notice that the man had kidnapped the woman and child shortly before 6 a.m. Authorities said he had an AR-style weapon in the car. The man reportedly shot into the home during the kidnapping.
At one point, the man got on the phone with a Harris County investigator and mentioned something about "suicide by cop," Hawthorne said.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the woman told him she left the man a few weeks ago and had been staying with family. She said there was a long history of abuse and he threatened to torture and kill her. Gonzalez said the man may have been trying to flee to Mexico.
"First he wanted to take her to Mexico and kill her over there, that's what she was saying on the phone," the woman's mother told KHOU 11's Jason Miles. "I guess he saw all the cops so he couldn't come, so he came, he said he wanted to die by his house."
At the end of the chase, Hawthorne said the man appeared to reach for a weapon. That's when snipers with his office opened fire.
Investigators found a rifle and a pistol in the car, along with a spent round.
The Texas Rangers will lead the investigation into this incident with support from the Chambers County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit.
Several agencies responded to the chase, including HCSO, CCSO, FBCSO, Texas DPS, the Mont Belvieu Police Department and various Harris County Constable's Offices.
Victims' advocates were at the scene to provide support.
Watch the full update authorities gave at the scene:
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.