Robbery suspect killed in shooting at Houston donut shop

HOUSTON — A robbery suspect was shot and killed Thursday morning after an attempted holdup at a Houston donut shop ended in gunfire, according to police.

The shooting happened around 6:15 a.m. at the Snowflake Donuts shop on Winkler Drive along the Gulf Freeway. Officers arrived at the scene just after 6:20 a.m., where they found the suspect dead inside the business.

Houston Police Department Homicide Det. Socrates Trujillo said the suspect, armed with a firearm and dressed in a black hoodie and dark clothing, entered the shop during an apparent robbery. The store owner, who was also armed, shot the suspect. The suspect’s gun was recovered at the scene, and a cash register was found open, police said.

“This is a busy place… people getting some donuts or kolaches before they head to work or school,” Trujillo said. “It could have ended very differently, where innocent civilians could have been shot and injured.”

Trujillo said the investigation remains in its early stages. The store owner is not currently facing any charges, but the case will be presented to a grand jury for review.

“There is no [charge] presented to him at this time,” Trujillo said. “This will be presented to a grand jury, and they’ll have the determination of that shooting.”

Police are still working to determine the suspect’s identity and whether the incident may be linked to other robberies in the area. Surveillance video from both the store and nearby businesses has been collected, but officers have not yet reviewed all of the footage.

It was unclear how many people were inside the store at the time, but witnesses have been identified and are being interviewed.

Trujillo said the store owner is “doing fine as best as he can be for right now.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Here is what the police said at the scene: