Deputy Constable Shot 4 Times 'Ambush-Style' in Houston Is 'Doing Well'
The ambushed officer is recovering after surgery.
-- A Harris County Precinct 7 deputy constable who was shot four times in Houston early Thursday is recovering and "doing well" after undergoing six hours of surgery, Constable May Walker said in a press conference.
"We think it's going to be a long recovery," Walker said, adding that the deputy constable has been moved to critical care. "We think he's going to be okay."
Alden Clopton, an 11-year veteran of Precinct 7 and a father, was shot in an "ambush-style" attack between midnight and 12:15 a.m., officials said. Six shots were fired, and four of them hit Clopton, Walker said. One bullet was found on the ground, and one was found on the police car, she added.
Clopton had just finished assisting reserve officer Ann Glasgow in a traffic stop when he was shot, Walker said. Clopton was helping Glasgow turn on the audio from the passenger side of her car when an unknown individual not connected to the traffic stop opened fire.
Glasgow then jumped out of the car and drew her weapon, Walker said. She saw a man wearing all black run away and fired one round at him, according to Walker.
Walker confirmed that police have identified a person of interest, but did not comment further.
Clopton's three brothers are also employed in law enforcement, Walker said. His wife, a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, is doing "as well as possible."
Clopton's condition was initially listed as "uncertain" after being in surgery for more than three hours to remove a bullet lodged in his abdomen and another bullet near his heart, police said. Not all of the bullets were removed from his body, according to Walker, but "doctors were able to 'repair' everything."
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