Texas Officer Shot In Face After Pursuit In Houston: Police

HOUSTON, TX — A 28-year-old Missouri City police officer was shot in the face early Saturday by a suspect who had two automatic pistols with extended magazines, police say.

Crystal Sepulveda suffered three gunshot wounds, one each to the cheek and jaw area, her foot and her calf. She is in stable condition at a local hospital, Missouri City Assistant Police Chief Lance Bothell said at a news conference.

Sepulveda, a three-year veteran with Missouri City police, is expected to make a full recovery, according to authorities.

"Our sister is a fighter and will survive her injuries," the Missouri City Police Officers Association said in a Facebook post. "We stand beside her and her family in this time, for we know the road to recovery is long."

The shooting occurred during a pursuit that stretched between Missouri City and southwest Houston. Missouri City police responded to the 800 block of Buffalo Run on reports of a stolen vehicle around 2:30 a.m. and shortly after found the vehicle at Fondren and South Main Street, according to police.

The vehicle was believed to be used in a robbery in north Harris County on Friday, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said.

The male driver refused to pull over and led police on a chase and crashed on Corsair Road in southwest Houston. Police pursued him between houses on foot, and the suspect fired several shots, striking Sepulveda.

Police, including officers from the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff and Texas Department of Public Safety, created a perimeter around the suspect, who fired at the officers. A Harris County deputy and a state trooper struck the suspect with return fire, police said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he later died, according to authorities. No other injuries were reported.

The Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are investigation the shooting, according to authorities.

The Missouri City Police Officers Association has set up a fundraising campaign for Sepulveda through Help A Hero with a goal of $50,000. Through Monday afternoon, over $28,000 has been raised.