Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

TX Deputy Slain in Ambush, Suspect at Large

A man who authorities say ambushed two Harris County Precinct deputy constables, killing one, critically wounding another, and shooting a third as he responded to the shooting remained at large Monday.

October 18, 2021
TX Deputy Slain in Ambush, Suspect at Large

Three Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables were shot Saturday morning. Deputy Kareem Atkins was killed. Deputy Darryl Garrett was critically wounded. Deputy Juqaim Barthen was shot in the foot or leg. (Photo: Harris County Constable Precinct 4)

2 min to read


A man who authorities say ambushed two Harris County Precinct deputy constables, killing one, critically wounding another, and shooting a third as he responded to the shooting remained at large Monday, ABC 13 reports.

The man reportedly opened fire on the deputies with an AR-15 rifle from behind while they were arresting another man over an apparent robbery attempt at a nightclub where they were working an extra job as security, authorities say.

Ad Loading...

Deputy Kareem Atkins was killed in the ambush. Deputy Darryl Garrett was shot in the back and critically wounded.

Deputy Juqaim Barthen was wounded when he heard the shots and ran to the aid of his fellow deputies. There are conflicting reports of whether he was hit in the foot or leg. He is stable and recovering.

The suspect is described by authorities as a Hispanic man in his early 20s. They said the man was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. He was also described as being heavy-set with a beard.

Both Garrett and Barthen remain hospitalized.

Garrett's fiancée Lajah Richardson told KHOU that the three men are like brothers.

Ad Loading...

Because Garrett is in critical condition, she said she hasn’t told him that one of his best friends is dead. She said she doesn’t know how she’s going to tell him.

Richardson said Garrett has been in and out of surgery since Saturday. She said he was shot in the back and the priority for the doctors was to remove the bullet fragments that were inside him that damaged some of his organs. She said doctors had to remove both of his kidneys and gall bladder. He will eventually need a kidney transplant.

 GoFundme account to help with the medical expenses because they say he will have a long recovery ahead.

Atkins was only 30 years old and had just returned to work from paternity leave, according to Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman. 

He leaves behind his 6-month-old son, a 2-year-old daughter and wife Nadia, family members told KHOU 11

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Black background, outline of Florida, headline 2 Officers Shot
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 14, 2026

2 Florida Officers Shot After Shots-Fired Call

Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.

Read More →
Blue-tinted background photo of hand hanging up an office phone and headline Richmond Heights PD: Harassment and Threats Will Be Addressed Accordingly
PatrolJanuary 14, 2026

Mistaken Identity: Ohio Police Department Harassed After ICE OIS

An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.

Read More →
Black background with POLICE logo, police light bar, and headline Top 10 Videos of 2025.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 7, 2026

Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025

What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue tinted background of a police dispatcher with headline Flock Safety + Coreforce Integation
TechnologyJanuary 7, 2026

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement

A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.

Read More →
three background images - man in tactical gear, image of ballistic helmet, photo of police officer in tactical gear approaching a car, and a circle with logo for Ballistic Armor Co.
PatrolJanuary 7, 2026

Ballistic Armor Co. Secures Strategic Investment to Expand U.S. Production Capabilities

Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.

Read More →
image of men on bicycles and women competing in martial arts and a log for the US Police & Fire Championships
PatrolDecember 10, 2025

Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility

The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with yellow headline 10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 3, 2025

10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops

What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Read More →
Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →