Holly MatkinHouston, TX – A registered sex offender murdered his mother and shot three Harris County sheriff’s deputies outside a Houston nightclub early Sunday morning, according to police.
The attack occurred outside the Set Nightclub at the intersection of Anita Street and Travis Street at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Jan 3, KPRC reported.
The club had just closed for the night when a fight broke out in the parking lot, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
That’s when the suspect, 25-year-old convicted felon Joseph Anthony Gonzalez, allegedly pulled out a gun and shot his mother, who was in her 40s, according to KPRC.
Gonzalez also allegedly fired multiple other rounds, hitting three veteran HCSO deputies who were working at their second job, KHOU reported.
They were all in full uniform at the time of the attack, according to CNN.
One male deputy was shot in the hand and legs, a female deputy was hit in the abdomen, and another male deputy was struck in the foot, KPRC reported.
One woman was killed and 3 Harris County deputies were shot in the parking lot of a club in Midtown. The suspect was arrested. The details of the shooting and conditions of the deputies coming up on @HTownRush #khou11 pic.twitter.com/GEFizemW1E
— Anayeli Ruiz (@AnayeliNews) January 3, 2021
The suspect’s mother was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Two of the wounded deputies were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment, while the third deputy was taken into surgery at Ben Taub Hospital.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that two of the deputies are in their 30s, and the other is in his or her 40s, KPRC reported.
I’m outside the club where three off-duty @HCSOTexas deputies were shot while trying to break up a club fight.
The parking lot is scattered with multiple pools of blood and dropped tacos. pic.twitter.com/8TqU2SZiAe
— Nicole Hensley 📰 (@nkhensley) January 3, 2021
Two of the wounded deputies have been with the department for about 11 years, while the third deputy has served for approximately five years.
All three are expected to recover, KPRC reported.
UPDATE: One of the three deputies (a male, age 41) has been discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) January 4, 2021
Meanwhile, Gonzalez showed up at a Sugar Land hospital for treatment due to having also been shot, according to police.
At least one of the deputies had returned fire during the attack, KHOU reported.
Gonzalez was taken into custody on charges of felon in possession of a weapon and three counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, KPRC reported.
His bond has been set at $100,000.
Gonzalez remained hospitalized in stable condition on Monday morning.
The registered sex offender has been convicted of obstruction, indecency with a child, and burglary in the past.
Sheriff Gonzalez said the entire incident was a tragedy, but that it also could have been much worse, KPRC reported.
“We’re just going to be out here lifting them up. We’re strong, we’re together and we’re going to pull through this,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that both our agencies continue to work together in full support of the families. That’s the most important thing. And obviously, condolences as well to the young adult, the 40-year-old that was pronounced earlier during this incident as well.”
Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“I don’t know what led him to shoot into a crowd where there were police officers and other citizens, but we’ll find out,” Chief Finner told KPRC. “The investigation is still at the preliminary point.”
