PEARLAND, Texas - A suspect injured while trying to steal copper over the weekend was later shot and killed by a Pearland officer when he was caught trying to escape the hospital, police said.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. outside Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, according to a spokesman for the Pearland Police Department.
Police said an officer was guarding the suspect outside his hospital room where he was handcuffed to his bed. Somehow the man was able to free himself and make his way outside without anyone noticing.
When police realized the suspect was gone, they went outside and said they found him making his escape toward a nearby pond. The Pearland officer gave chase and swam through the pond while shouting for the suspect to stop.
The suspect turned to face the officer, and police opened fire. The shot suspect was moved back into the hospital where he was declared dead.
Police spokesman Jodi Silva would not say if the man was still wearing handcuffs when he was shot.
Silva said the officer who opened fire has been with Pearland for four years.
Police said the killed suspect was recently arrested at a shopping center for copper theft. He was wanted for at least one felony warrant.
