5 Houston police officers shot in narcotics operation; 2 suspects dead

Banglapress International Desk: Five Houston police officers were shot Monday afternoon while serving a narcotics warrant. A fifth officer was injured in the incident. Two of the five officers were in surgery and listed in critical condition, police Chief Art Acevedo said in a press briefing hours after the incident which took place in the city's Pecan Park neighborhood. The officers were struck in the neck with gunfire, the chief said. A fifth officer suffered a knee injury during the shootout and was released from the hospital. The ages of the officers who were injured range from 33 to 54, Acevedo said. "This has been a tough day for our city," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Two suspects are dead, Acevedo said. Six patrol officers provided support to 12 members of the department's narcotics division just before 5 p.m. local time to serve a search warrant, Acevedo said. Officers came under fire upon reaching the door of the home, Acevedo said, calling it a "chaotic scene." Two LifeFlight helicopters could be seen landing in the area, as ambulances rushed other officers to local hospitals. A law enforcement source told the Houston Chronicle narcotics officers had previously made undercover purchases at that location and were able to get a warrant to enter the house and search it. The officers were at the door of the location when gunfire erupted from within, the source said. Gov. Greg Abbott said the "horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe." He called for Texans to pray for the officers who were injured. Three Houston Police Department officers have been killed in the line of duty from 2006 to 2017, according to FBI data.