This family photo provided by the Mesquite Police
Department, in Mesquite, Texas, shows Officer Richard Houston. Houston was
killed Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, while responding to a disturbance call outside a
suburban Dallas supermarket. (Family Photo/Courtesy of Mesquite Police
Department via AP)
MESQUITE, Texas (AP) — Police have released the name of the
officer who was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance call outside a
suburban Dallas supermarket.
Mesquite police said Saturday that Officer Richard Houston
was killed Friday. Police said a prayer vigil will be held for him Sunday
evening in front of the police department.
Police said Houston, who was married and had three children,
was hired as a police officer in Mesquite in January 2001.
“This was a senseless act of violence," Mesquite Police
Chief David Gill said. "Richard was a great officer, friend, father, and
husband. Please keep his family and our family in your prayers.”
Police have said Houston was responding to a report of a
disturbance in the supermarket parking lot when the suspect pulled a gun and
opened fire. The officer returned fire, wounding the suspect.
Police have said the suspect was taken to a hospital. Police
have not released the suspect's name or current condition.
