A woman armed with a handgun was locked in a hours-long tense standoff with police on a busy Texas freeway, causing traffic chaos for thousands of commuters.
Multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to Interstate 45 in an effort to negotiate with the woman, who pulled a folding chair out of her car and sat in the middle of the road from about 1.30pm.
According to KWTX 10, a constable reported the woman had ‘apparently turned her vehicle directly into the path of an 18-wheeler’ and caused a collision.
It is understood a trained mental health officer was among first responders on the scene attempting negotiations.
A spokesperson for the Harris County Constable’s Precinct said a family member also arrived.
Extraordinary footage of the incident shows traffic backed up for miles as teams of officers with their weapons drawn kep an eye on the woman.
Authorities reported the woman said she ‘wants her kids’ and claimed they were being held hostage.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are Interstate 45 trying to negotiate with the woman, who pulled a folding chair out of her car and has been sitting in the middle of the road
It is understood a trained mental health officer is among first responders on the scene attempting negotiations
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told Fox News the woman, armed with a pistol, is expressing suicidal thoughts.
She had refused to comply with orders to drop the weapon, and was refusing to to move from her position in the middle of the road.
By 6.30pm, officers shared an update that the standoff had ended peacefully.
Pictures showed the woman, wearing all blue, as she was escorted off the road by at least eight authorities.
‘The standoff on the North Freeway and Cypresswood Drive has ended peacefully,’ police said.
By 6.30pm, officers shared an update that the standoff had ended peacefully
Pictures showed the woman, wearing all blue, as she was escorted off the road by at least eight authorities
‘Constable Deputies along with multiple law enforcement officers and first responders have safely apprehended the armed female suspect sitting on the main lanes of the freeway.
‘Thank you to all the brave first responders who helped resolve the situation peacefully.’
The traffic gridlock will now ease as ‘north and south bound lanes of the North Freeway are slowly reopening.’
The public has been urged to avoid the area. Diversions are in place.
