A late-night confrontation in The Woodlands turned deadly Monday when a man forced his way into his former girlfriend’s apartment and exchanged gunfire with her current boyfriend, authorities said. The boyfriend who shot the intruder was taken to a local hospital in critical condition after the shootout, as per Houston Chronicle.
Deputies said the intruder arrived armed with a pistol and a shotgun, and the two men opened fire on each other inside the apartment, according to Houston Chronicle. Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies responded late Monday and transported the surviving man to a nearby hospital, officials said.
Detectives said the deceased had sent threatening text messages to the woman and her new boyfriend in the hours before the break-in, as reported by YourConroeNews.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and began its review, and the sheriff’s office said the case will be referred to a grand jury once investigators wrap up, according to Houston Chronicle. Authorities had not released the names of those involved as of Tuesday morning.
How Texas Law Frames Self-Defense Claims
Under Texas law — outlined in Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 — a person is presumed justified in using force if they reasonably believe it’s immediately necessary to stop someone who unlawfully and with force enters an occupied habitation. Prosecutors will weigh those standards against the evidence as they decide whether to file charges…