Texas

Charges Upgraded for Man Accused of Killing Houston-Area Officer

Blue Alert canceled after wanted man caught by police at his home

Sgt. Kaila Sullivan and Tavores Henderson
NBC 5 News

A man police say was fleeing a traffic stop Tuesday night when he struck and killed a Houston-area police sergeant is once again back into custody and is now facing a capital murder charge, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

Tavores Dewayne Henderson, the subject of a Blue Alert and a statewide manhunt, was arrested at his home without incident, the sheriff's department said at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

A $20,000 reward had been issued for information leading to his capture; a Crime Stoppers tip led police to Henderson's location, KPRC-TV reported.

Henderson is accused of killing 43-year-old Nassau Bay police Sgt. Kaila Sullivan while fleeing a traffic stop Tuesday night at an apartment complex and was charged with capital murder Thursday afternoon.

Henderson initially stopped for police, but was placed under arrest when officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant for assault on a family member. As officers began to cuff him, he escaped and got into his vehicle, Nassau Bay Police Chief Tim Cromie said.

The man then drove off, striking Sullivan, who later died at a hospital, Cromie said. The vehicle was discovered abandoned and police believe Henderson ran away.

As the search for Henderson intensified Wednesday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez warned anyone who helped the man avoid capture could face up to five years in prison.

According to KPRC's report, Henderson's mother and her boyfriend are accused of hindering law enforcement by taking him to a hotel on the night of the crash and later telling police that first she didn't know him and then later that didn't know where he was.

Gonzalez said Sullivan's death was "another grim reminder" of how dangerous police work can be, noting that the community is still mourning the Saturday death of a Houston police officer and the September shooting death of a Harris County deputy.

A Blue Alert is designed to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers.

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