In a tragic turn of events on Tuesday, Harris County Deputy Maher Husseini was fatally shot while en route to work, and the suspect, Athir Murady, is now in custody following a dramatic police chase.
Who Is Athir Murady?
The incident unfolded around 12:45 p.m. when Deputy Husseini was stopped at a traffic light in his car on his way to Harris County Precinct 4. According to reports, a gunman approached his vehicle and began shooting. Murady, identified as the shooter, fired multiple rounds, initially hitting the deputy before fleeing the scene. He returned moments later to fire several more shots, leading to Deputy Husseini’s fatal injuries.
Emergency responders rushed Deputy Husseini to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. His death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the community and his colleagues in law enforcement.
Following the shooting, authorities launched a manhunt that led them to Galveston, where Murady’s subsequent actions intensified the situation. During a high-speed chase, Murady drove his vehicle off the Causeway bridge and into the water below. Emergency responders swiftly deployed a boat to rescue him.
As Murady attempted to resist arrest, he was bitten by a police K9 and sustained additional injuries. He was subsequently transported to UTMB John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, where he is receiving medical treatment for his wounds.
Murady, who is known for providing training in security and driving, and is a licensed-to-carry instructor, will be booked into the Galveston County jail once he is discharged from the hospital. He is expected to be extradited back to Harris County to face charges related to the shooting.
An examination of Murady’s Facebook profile reveals disturbing and incoherent posts, which have led authorities to question his mental state leading up to the incident. His online behavior has drawn attention, with some suggesting that it might have been indicative of underlying issues.
The shooting of Deputy Husseini has left the Harris County community in shock, as law enforcement and local residents mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant. The investigation into the motives behind the shooting and Murady’s background continues as the legal proceedings move forward.
