HOUSTON, Texas — A Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office deputy is dead after being ambushed Tuesday afternoon on his way to work. The gunman allegedly fled and then returned to the scene to shoot the deputy again, local media reports.

Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz told reporters the shooting happened near Richmond Ave. and Fondren at about 12:35 p.m. CDT. Diaz said the suspected killer got out of his car and walked over to the deputy’s car and opened fire, KTRK ABC13 reported. The deputy was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

UPDATE 5 p.m.:  Fox26 Houston reports Constable Herman’s office identified the slain deputy as 50-year-old Maher Husseini.

FOX 26 also reports the suspected cop killer’s vehicle was located after he drove his vehicle into the water near Old Causeway Road in Galveston, Texas.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m. — Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his concerns for the family of Deputy Husseini, writing:

The hearts of Texans are breaking today with the news that Harris County Deputy Constable Maher Husseini was shot and killed while on his way to work,” said Governor Abbott. “The dangerous criminal who ambushed and murdered Deputy Constable Husseini will have the full weight of the law brought down upon him. Texas is a law and order state, and I will always defend the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect Texans. Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in lifting up in prayer the family and loved ones of Deputy Constable Husseini.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. — The Houston Police Department reports the suspected cop-killer is now in custody in Galveston.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES:

Click2Houston reported Houston Police Department officials said the gunman fled on foot, only to return and fire additional rounds at the deputy. Constable Mark Herman told the NBC affiliate the deputy was stopped at a red light in his personal vehicle at the time of the shooting. He was reportedly wearing his uniform pants and duty belt. It is not clear if he was in his full uniform at the time.

Officials told reporters they are searching for a 35-40 year old male, believed to be of Middle Eastern dissent. He is described as 5′ 9″ tall and about 200 pounds. Police said he was last seen wearing a dark shirt, dark pants, and he has dark, thinning hair, Fox 26 Houston reported.

Constable Herman was not ready to release the deputy’s name but described him to the NBC reporter as a 50-year-old man with about three years service to the constabulary. The deceased deputy received a promotion within the department just last week.

An HPD official said a witness called who saw the shooting. However, the alleged killer’s motive is not yet known.

“My main goal is to support our fallen deputy and his family,” Constable Herman told KHOU CBS11.

Less than one week ago, a Dallas Police Department officer was shot and killed and two other officers were wounded in another ambush-style attack on police, Breitbart Texas reported. That gunman was later shot and killed by police following a 30-mile pursuit.

So far this year, 37 officers, including the as-yet-unidentified deputy, were killed by gunfire in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Bob Price is the Breitbart Texas-Border team’s associate editor and senior news contributor. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday morning talk show. He also serves as president of Blue Wonder Gun Care Products.  

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story. Additional information may be added as it becomes available. This article has been updated to correctly reflect the title of Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz.