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HOUSTON, TX — A suspect was shot in the leg late Wednesday night after allegedly being caught rummaging through a storage unit in southwest Houston, according to local authorities.

As reported by ABC13, the incident occurred near Almeda and West Fuqua when two individuals arrived at their storage unit and encountered an unknown man going through their belongings. The suspect, reportedly wearing gloves, was confronted by the unit owners. During the confrontation, police say the man made a sudden movement and reached into his pocket, prompting one of the bystanders to draw a firearm and shoot the suspect in the leg.

The wounded individual was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover. Law enforcement officials indicated that the armed bystander may not face any charges at this time, though the investigation remains ongoing.

In situations like this, the legality of using deadly force hinges on whether the defender reasonably believed there was an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death. While a sudden or suspicious movement—such as a suspect reaching into a pocket—can elevate concern, it alone does not automatically justify the use of deadly force. The defender must be able to articulate specific facts that made the threat appear immediate and deadly, based on the totality of the circumstances.