A driver in Houston may face a murder charge after allegedly hitting and killing an innocent bystander on a sidewalk early Sunday morning while attempting to run over his domestic partner, according to police reports.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. when patrol officers in the Midtown area responded to what they initially believed was a gunshot, only to find the fatally injured victim on the sidewalk, according to Houston Police Department spokesperson Robert Ementich during a news conference.
“The victim, who was actually the manager of one of the nightclubs, was preparing to head home at the time,” Ementich explained.
Witnesses, including the person believed to be the intended target, told police that the suspect and his domestic partner had been involved in a dispute at a nightclub before leaving the venue, Ementich stated.
“After leaving the establishment, the male suspect got into his vehicle and began driving around, hitting multiple other vehicles,” Ementich added.
According to Ementich, the suspect’s domestic partner informed investigators that the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, aimed to strike her with the vehicle but instead hit the bystander.
“She managed to move out of the way,” Ementich said about the suspect’s partner. “Tragically, an innocent bystander walking on the sidewalk was struck by the suspect’s vehicle.”
First responders from the Houston Fire Department attempted to provide medical assistance, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the deceased woman is being withheld pending an autopsy and notification of her family.
Ementich mentioned that it remains unclear whether the suspect’s domestic partner is his wife or girlfriend.
With the help of witnesses, officers were able to locate the suspect a few blocks away and take him into custody, Ementich said.
Authorities are considering a murder charge against the suspect, arguing that his actions were “intentional” in trying to hit his partner.
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“It’s similar to pulling out a gun and attempting to shoot someone, but missing,” Ementich explained. “Instead of using a bullet, he chose to use a 4,000-pound motor vehicle as his weapon.”
