A tragic shooting incident in Houston has sparked conflicting accounts between the police and the family of the man involved. The shooting occurred on the south side of Houston after a brief chase, which was initially triggered by a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle. While Houston Police Department (HPD) officers say the man, identified as 37-year-old Tony Underwood, was armed and posed a threat, his family strongly disputes this claim, asserting that he was holding nothing more than a water bottle when he was shot.
The incident took place late one evening, near the 7800 block of Tear Wester. According to the police, they had been tracking a stolen vehicle—belonging to Underwood’s girlfriend—that had been reported stolen a few days earlier. HPD officers attempted to stop the vehicle but said that Underwood fled the scene on foot after briefly stopping in the 2800 block of Reid Road. HPD claimed that during the pursuit, Underwood allegedly pulled out a gun and cocked it, leading to a struggle between the officers and Underwood. The officer involved in the shooting, who had been on the force since November 2020, feared for his life and ultimately shot Underwood.
However, the family of Underwood, who were reportedly witnesses to the events, have painted a very different picture of the incident. His cousin, who was outside at the time of the shooting, claimed to have seen the entire ordeal. She asserted that Underwood was unarmed and was instead holding a water bottle when the police shot him. She mentioned that he was not even facing the officers when the shots were fired and that they should not have resorted to violence in that situation. Her account describes the moment when she heard her cousin pleading with the officers, yelling “don’t shoot” as the events unfolded.
The controversy deepened with further statements from Underwood’s family, who believe that the police acted wrongly. They expressed disbelief over the fact that Underwood was allegedly shot despite what they described as no clear threat to the officers. Underwood’s mother, in particular, voiced her frustration, stating that the family does not believe the police’s version of events. She strongly rejected the claim that her son had been carrying a gun, emphasizing that he had a water bottle instead.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of police conduct, especially concerning the use of force in situations involving potential threats. While the police maintain that Underwood was a threat, his family and some community members question the need for lethal force in this instance, particularly given that the man was reportedly unarmed.
The police also clarified that Underwood had a history with the law, including a criminal record, but his family claims that he had been trying to turn his life around and stay out of trouble. Despite his past, they argue that he did not deserve to die in this manner. The family continues to call for accountability and justice, stating that the officer involved in the shooting should lose his job and face further consequences for what they perceive as an unjust act of violence.
As the investigation continues, the Houston Police Department has promised to release the body camera footage of the incident within 30 days. This will likely provide further insight into the events of that night, as the police work to determine whether the officer’s use of force was justified. In the meantime, Underwood remains in critical condition at Ben Taub Hospital, with no other individuals being reported as injured in the shooting.
This tragic incident has sparked a heated debate within the community about police conduct, especially in situations where the threat is unclear. As both sides present their version of events, it remains to be seen what the official investigation will reveal, and how it will impact the relationship between law enforcement and the local community.
The situation has also underscored the continuing tensions between police officers and residents in Houston, particularly in areas with high crime rates. Whether the police acted appropriately or overstepped their bounds is a question that remains open for further scrutiny. As the investigation proceeds, both the community and the police department will be watching closely to see how this case unfolds.
