Man shot to death outside Huffman church after making vague threats, officials say
HUFFMAN, Texas — A person was shot to death outside a church in Huffman after making vague threats, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened at Lake Houston Methodist Church on FM 2100 near where it meets FM 1960 around 9:15 a.m.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the shooting happened in the back side of the church’s parking lot and that the shooter, who officials said is a Texas EquuSearch member, was detained and cooperating with investigators.
There were between 50 to 70 members at the church at the time, according to the sheriff. Investigators were working to gather witness statements but no one else was injured.
Update #1: shooting occurred in church parking lot (not inside). One person is detained. No further threat to the public. https://t.co/VGZIvHWfA2
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 12, 2023
What happened
Around 9:15 a.m., Gonzalez said the sheriff’s office received a call for service about a man who approached a church member in its parking lot claiming his mother used to go there. The man reportedly made vague threats, claiming “today was the day.”
A deputy showed up after the first 911 call, but the person reportedly making the threats had already left.
A short time later, officials said a church member called a Texas EquuSearch member to help with the situation. When the EquuSearch member showed up, the man who had reportedly been making the threats had returned and was driving around the church parking lot.
Gonzalez said the EquuSearch member parked about 20 yards away from the man and at some point, the man started running towards the EquuSearch member, who fired a rifle at him. The man was shot twice and pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the man who charged the shooter appeared to have a “vape” in his hand.
Tim Miller, Texas EquuSearch founder, said the shooter was a longtime member of his team. He said the shooter was cooperating with investigators.