HOUSTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Eight bodies — five children and three adults — were found inside a home in Houston, Texas, after a one-hour standoff between a suspect and police late Saturday.
Police were attempting to perform a welfare check at about 9 p.m. when no one responded when they arrived at the front door of the home. Authorities were then informed that a man inside the home was wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family member.
A sergeant at the scene requested a High Risk Operations Unit tactical team, similar to a SWAT team, to respond, but as the call was being made, police saw the body of a boy through a window.
Four deputies forced their way inside the home, and a 49-year-old male suspect inside began shooting. Police temporarily retreated to await the arrival of the tactical team and a negotiator.
After more than an hour, the suspect came outside and surrendered to authorities.
“At this time we have what appears to be five children and three adults,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Thomas 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.”
“Homicide detectives have taken over the operation along with our crime scene unit. Due to the amount of victims and the proximity to the people in the house, it’ll be a scene that’s going on for a while,” Gilliland added.
