An off-duty Texas Highway Patrol trooper shot his Black neighbor through a closed door in Houston, officials reported. The incident occurred overnight near Minute Maid Park, the home stadium of the Houston Astros. The shooter, whose name has not been disclosed, is not affiliated with the Houston Police Department.
According to HPD Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir, the trooper believed that a suspect was attempting to break into his apartment. He discharged his weapon once, striking the neighbor in the right shoulder. The injured man was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover.
Authorities have not determined why the trooper mistook his neighbor for an intruder. There was no evidence of forced entry, but the trooper did issue several commands from behind the door before firing the shot. Police are investigating the possibility that the trooper may have mistaken the neighbor’s residence for his own. The two live one floor apart, with units that have similar appearances and matching last two digits on their doors.
In a previous Texas case, former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was found guilty of murder for shooting her Black neighbor, Botham Jean, after mistakenly entering his apartment instead of her own.
