A late-night family altercation on Houston’s south side resulted in a 32-year-old man being hospitalized after his father shot him in self-defense. Police confirm the father acted lawfully in response to escalating threats and violence.

HOUSTON, TX (1-minute read) — A heated family dispute in Houston’s south side escalated late Tuesday night, resulting in a self-defense shooting that sent a 32-year-old man to the hospital. The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. at a residence on Arbor Street, where a man in his 70s was forced to defend himself against his son’s aggressive behavior.

According to authorities, the son, who had been drinking, became belligerent and threatened his father, stating, “I’m going to put you under.” The situation worsened as the son broke a mirror and tried to harm the family dog. Despite firing a warning shot, the father had to act further when his son charged at him, ultimately shooting him in the leg to stop the threat.

The son, who has a history of violence against his father—including a previous incident where the father suffered a broken arm—was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover. Houston police confirmed the father would not face charges, as his actions were deemed self-defense.

The father cooperated fully with authorities during the investigation, which further substantiated his lawful response to the dangerous situation.

Safety Tip: Know your state’s self-defense laws to understand when and how force may be lawfully used to protect yourself and others. Always aim to de-escalate situations before resorting to force.