An off-duty Houston police officer shot his wife in the face in a domestic incident early Monday morning, officials say.
The 31-year-old HPD officer, assigned to the northwest division, had been on the force for just two years. HPD Chief Troy Finner said he was arrested and has been relieved of his duties effective immediately.
Police responded to the shooting just before 1 a.m. Monday at The Westerly apartments in the 10300 block of Clay Road in west Houston.
Police say the 30-year-old woman was found upon arrival with a gunshot wound to the face. She was taken to the hospital, underwent surgery and was reportedly in serious condition.
HPD plans to file charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against the officer and at that point his name is expected to be made public. Officials say a rifle was used in the shooting.
Finner shared that the Special Investigative Unit will conduct the criminal investigation and Internal Affairs will conduct the administrative investigation.
"We have to abide by the law and then we have to go by our policy. Nobody can do anything here that is not becoming of a police officer and not be disciplined in some kind of way." Finner said.
Nightclub shooting still being investigated
The domestic incident capped a string of violent shootings in the Houston area over the weekend.
Police responded to a shooting outside a club early Sunday morning, where six people were shot and injured after someone opened fire in a crowded parking lot outside Tabu Restaurant & Lounge.
Finner said one of the six victims is in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery. The victim's condition is unknown. The other five victims are expected to survive.
No suspects have been arrested. Finner says surveillance video taken at the scene would be reviewed as part of the investigation.
Another shooting involved a suspect shooting his neighbor after getting into an altercation with them. A separate shooting involved a 20-year-old suspect who shot someone at an apartment complex.
Finner said it was a busy weekend for officers.
"Busy weekend and it happens from time to time, but I still want to let people know that crime is down in the city,” he said. "And it's our job collectively – police, business owners, citizens – to be sure that we can get through the summer as safely as possible."
All investigations are ongoing.