HOUSTON – A suspected killer who officials say shot at officers responding to the original shooting call in Kingwood Sunday, appeared in probable cause court Monday.
During Monday’s hearing, the judge said he had high public safety concerns about 29-year-old Byron K. Hall. Allegations against him included strangulation, murder, and a history of violence.
“Mr. Hall, you’re charged with murder, aggravated assault against a public servant, and aggravated assault against a family member. I did find probable cause,” said the judge during the hearing Monday night.
It comes on the heels of an active afternoon for HPD officers in Kingwood Sunday. They rushed to Babbling Creek Drive around 2:30 p.m. for a shooting call.
“At approximately 2:42 we received an additional call of a neighbor reporting hearing gunshots. That neighbor also said that there is a suspect outside who told her to call police,” said HPD Assistant Chief, Jessica Anderson.
When police showed up, they ended up finding themselves dodging bullets.
“As the officers arrived, they saw the suspect and it appeared that he was waiting for them. He was standing at the end of the driveway and was shooting at them from there,” Anderson said.
Officials say that Hall fired some seven shots from multiple guns at officers striking their vehicle. Police weren’t able to return fire, and none of them were hurt. Hall eventually surrendered.
“Upon going into the house, the officer located two children who were hiding in a closet upstairs. The children were not injured,” Anderson said.
“In the murder, it’s alleged that the defendant strangled and shot his complaining witness who is his sister. She was pronounced on scene,” said the state prosecutor during the hearing.
“It’s unclear what precipitated this event however the responding officers indicated that the suspect may have been in some type of mental crisis,” Anderson said at Sunday’s press conference.
At the time of the offenses, Hall was already on deferred adjudication for aggravated assault against a public servant.
For the latest charges he was given a combined bond of $1 million. $500,000 for murder, $250,000 for aggravated assault against a public servant, and $250,000 for aggravated assault of a family member.
If bond is posted, he’s to have no contact with surviving victims and no household family members of decedent, stay 200 feet away from the home where all this happened. If he makes bond, he will be on house arrest