Police and fire personnel received multiple calls around 1:07 a.m., Finner said. One call was about a person down, one call came in as a gunshot, and another call came in as a fire call. “This suspect, unfortunately, and very unfortunately and very badly, set several residents on fire,” Finer said. The suspect then “waited for these residents to come out and fired at them,” he said. The incident happened at a multi-room rental facility near 8020 Dunlap St., Finner said. The fire department first arrived at the scene to fight the blaze, but was forced to retreat by the gunman upon arrival, he said. “The suspect started shooting. I don’t know if he shot in their direction, but they had to take cover,” Finer said. A short time later, a Houston police officer arrived and found the suspect in a parking lot directly across the street from the multi-room rental facility, Finer said. The suspect, an African-American man, was dressed in black and about 40 years old, Finner added. One officer, a 7-year veteran, exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who is now dead, Finer said. The officer is now on administrative leave, per department protocol. “I’m very proud of him,” Finner said. “Who knows, this suspect would probably try to shoot someone else.” The district attorney’s office is investigating the incident and the Houston Police Department is conducting its own investigation, Finer said.
