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Video: Texas Deputy Constable Shot, Wounded in Apparent Ambush

A Harris County, TX, deputy constable was shot multiple times last night in what investigators say was an "ambush" attack. Deputy Constable Alden Clopton was in surgery for nearly six hours and has now been moved to critical care.

April 14, 2016
Video: Texas Deputy Constable Shot, Wounded in Apparent Ambush

 

2 min to read


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A Harris County, TX, deputy constable was shot multiple times last night in what investigators say was an "ambush" attack, reports KTRK.

Deputy Constable Alden Clopton was shot four times. He was in surgery for nearly six hours and has now been moved to critical care, Constable May Walker says.

"We think he is going to be okay," Walker says. "He's a strong guy."

Investigators say around 11:20pm, Deputy Clopton and a reserve deputy were wrapping up a traffic stop on Alabama Street when someone opened fire on them. Deputy Clopton was standing beside the reserve deputy's patrol car when several bullets struck.

The shots came from across Alabama where there is a bike path. The reserve deputy then got out of her car and shot back in the direction of the gunfire.

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Four bullets struck Clopton in the back, two of the shots entering Clopton's patrol vehicle, Walker says. Another bullet went into the ground. In the operating room, surgeons found a bullet was lodged near his heart, while three others were in his abdomen.

A person of interest is being interviewed by deputies, but Constable Walker could not give any other details. The person was taken into custody at a nearby fire station after they matched a description of the suspect.

Constable Walker says the deputy constable has "a road to recovery" ahead of him.

Deputy Clopton is an 11-year veteran of the Constable's Office. Deputies says his wife works for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, and that his family is at the hospital.

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