HOUSTON – The family of Tony Underwood, a 37-year-old man shot by a Houston police officer last week, gathered at HPD headquarters seeking information about his condition and to request access to see him.
Patricia Underwood, Tony’s mother, expressed her distress.
“God is my witness I can’t sleep,” she said. “I’m just crying out for help.”
Patricia revealed that she received a call early in the morning informing her that Tony needed a blood transfusion.
Tony has been hospitalized at Ben Taub Hospital since the incident on April 30, when police attempted to pull him over for driving a vehicle that was reported stolen.
Tony’s family said his girlfriend reported the vehicle they shared stolen during an argument.
According to police reports, Tony led officers on a chase before exiting the vehicle. They allege he was armed and struggled with an officer, who then shot him.
Family members contest the police narrative, claiming Tony was unarmed and only had a water bottle.
“He had his hands up... She yelled do not shoot repeatedly. And the officer shot him anyway,” said Abc Hornsby, Tony’s cousin.
They assert that there was no struggle and that the shooting was unjustified.
Tony Underwood Jr., his son, described the situation as devastating, emphasizing the family’s anguish over not being able to see him for nearly a week. Patricia Underwood called for prayers, saying “I carry Jesus in my heart.”
Houston police maintain that Underwood posed a threat, with HPD Police Chief J. Noe Diaz announcing that body cam footage will be released within 30 days.
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Underwood has been charged with three felonies as of May 1, and despite his incapacitation, he remains in police custody, preventing family visits. A court date is scheduled for May 13.
