TexasCHLforum.com

An off-duty customs agent shopping at a west Houston liquor store shot and killed a man who attempted to rob the store Friday night, police said.

The man, who has not yet been identified by police, approached the front counter of Spec’s Town and Country, at 12901 Queensbury around 7:30 p.m., pulled out a gun and ordered customers to the floor.

“The agent pulled out his weapon and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon,” Houston police spokesman Gabriel Ortiz said.

“The suspect ignored that order and pointed his weapon at the agent,” he continued. “It was at that point that the agent, obviously fearing for his life, shot the suspect.”

Seconds after that shooting, a second man fired at the agent from the liquor store’s front door and fled, Ortiz said. The gunman remains a fugitive.

None of the shoppers or employees was injured, Ortiz said.

“Not your normal night at the liquor store,” Ortiz said.

After the shooting, at least a dozen federal agents and an equal number of Houston police officers descended on the store, which is along an access road near the intersection of the Katy Freeway and the Sam Houston Tollway.

The border patrol agent was wearing his uniform T-shirt and pants but also had on a civilian windbreaker at the time of the shooting, according to the agency. He was authorized, but not required, to carry a weapon when off duty.

Out of concern for the safety of the agent and his family, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials would not release his name or details about where he works.

“It was fortunate that the officer was able to assist, and protect the lives of those who were in the store,” said Yolanda Choates, a spokeswoman for the agency in Houston.

“As long as there is a second assailant out there, we are reluctant to release anything identifying (the agent),” she said.

The agent has been with department for five years, and as a field inspector, his job entails working at seaports and airports, she said.

Lindy Rydman, whose parents founded Spec’s Liquor in 1962, declined to comment.

“We are very happy and thankful that our people are safe,” Rydman said in a brief e-mail.

The liquor store was back in business Saturday afternoon. A few employees quietly discussed the shooting.

dane.schiller@chron.com

Stupid wrote:"Out of concern for the safety of the agent and his family, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials would not release his name or details about where he works."

So if it were a civilian, it's perfect fine to ignore the safety of the said person and his/her family and disclose everything except his/her SSN? What has the world come to?

After the shooting, at least a dozen federal agents and an equal number of Houston police officers descended on the store, which is along an access road near the intersection of the Katy Freeway and the Sam Houston Tollway.

Rayden wrote:f it was a CHL holder instead of the Customs agent, would he/she have to warn the robber to drop the gun, or would it be justified to shoot and stop the threat on the front or back without any warning?

Stupid wrote:"Out of concern for the safety of the agent and his family, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials would not release his name or details about where he works."

So if it were a civilian, it's perfect fine to ignore the safety of the said person and his/her family and disclose everything except his/her SSN? What has the world come to?

would it be justified to shoot and kill on the front or back without any warning

Morgan wrote:

Stupid wrote:"Out of concern for the safety of the agent and his family, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials would not release his name or details about where he works."

So if it were a civilian, it's perfect fine to ignore the safety of the said person and his/her family and disclose everything except his/her SSN? What has the world come to?

This is what we call a non sequitur. They didn't say ANYTHING that should make you assume what you're assuming.

anyone willing to pick-up a weapon is willing to use it

“Not your normal night at the liquor store,” Ortiz said.

Seconds after that shooting, a second man fired at the agent from the liquor store’s front door and fled, Ortiz said.