Harris County Deputy Shot During Ambush at Apartment Complex; Suspect Faces Felony Charge

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Two Harris County Precinct 4 deputies were wounded Friday night after a gunman allegedly ambushed responding officers at an apartment complex in northeast Harris County.

According to authorities, Deputy Dante Zepeda and several other Precinct 4 deputies responded around 10 p.m. on June 19, 2026, to reports of a man firing a weapon throughout an apartment complex.

As deputies arrived and began investigating, the suspect allegedly opened fire on the responding officers, ambushing them with what investigators later determined was a shotgun.

Multiple deputies returned fire as the suspect continued shooting. Authorities said the gunman eventually retreated into an apartment.

During the exchange of gunfire, Deputy Zepeda and another deputy were struck by shotgun pellets.

Deputy Zepeda suffered injuries to his hip and upper arm. Fellow deputies immediately placed him into a patrol vehicle and transported him to HCA Houston Healthcare Northeast for emergency treatment.

After being stabilized, Zepeda was transferred to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where he is expected to undergo multiple surgeries.

The second wounded deputy remained engaged in the incident despite being struck and continued helping maintain the perimeter around the suspect’s location until SWAT teams arrived. That deputy later received medical treatment and was released.

Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody after being bitten by a police K-9 and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has accepted a charge of Aggravated Assault Against a Peace Officer. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Deputy Zepeda is assigned to patrol duties in the Atascocita area and has served with Harris County Precinct 4 since July 21, 2025.

The shooting remains under investigation.