Conroe teacher accused of leaving chicks in the woods to die

CONROE -- Conroe ISD police are investigating how dozens of chicks in the agriculture department of a local high school wound up dead. Eyewitness News has learned a former FFA teacher is under investigation.

It’s an unusual case unfolding at Oak Ridge High School. The chicks were supposed to be shown at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

"To see what I saw, it's heartbreaking," said Oak Ridge FFA student Haley Castro. Castro says she found 50 chicks Wednesday night that had been discarded in the woods near the FFA barn. She saved 13, but 37 froze to death.

Her FFA teacher, who is no longer at the school, is accused of dumping them. "It was very difficult as an ag student and being in FFA, having your ag teachers tell you love your animals and to have someone do this on our property, it's really heartbreaking," said Castro.

Parents and students tell us the teacher who'd been there for about three years had just sent a letter to students and parents saying she would not be teaching there after February 3. Wednesday night's discovery has many wondering about a motive.

"You don't do that to innocent little chicks," said FFA student Dustin Garrison. "You have them for one day and you throw them out in the woods? You just don't do that."

We are not naming the teacher, since she is not charged, but a Precinct 4 livestock officer and Conroe ISD police are both investigating the case. For FFA students, it is news that's very hard to take. "I want justice to be given to that person," said Castro.

A Conroe ISD spokesperson released the following statement: "The incident is currently under investigation by the Conroe ISD police department. The teacher notified the Oak Ridge High School principal yesterday of the resignation." 

North Houston police chase ends in shootout, killing burglary suspect

HOUSTON -- Authorities are investigating after a burglary suspect was fatally shot by a Houston Police Department officer following a police chase in north Houston.

It happened the 10 block of Joy Circle near Greens point Mall. Police say the suspect had carjacked someone then robbed a Subway store at gunpoint.

A description of the suspect and stolen car was given out, and eventually officers spotted the suspect driving north on Greens point Drive. A chase ensued and the suspect crashed out. He ran out of vehicle, exchanged fire with an HPD officer and ran off.

The suspect then jumped a fence and encountered another HPD officer. Authorities say the suspect threatened to kill that officer, and more shots were exchanged. That officer shot the suspect, killing him.

Neither officer was injured in the shootout. Authorities say the incident started in Houston but ended in the jurisdiction of the Harris County Sheriff's Office so both agencies are on scene investigating.

Harris County Attorney arrested for aggravated assault

HOUSTON -- The Harris County Attorney's Office says it is looking into the arrest of one of its attorneys who is accused of assault.

Tomball police arrested Susan Sciacca for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Friday.

Sciacca works for the Harris County Attorney's Office as an attorney in the protective services family division.

The attorney's office would not give the details on their investigation; they would only say they "are aware of the situation. Our office is reviewing this matter."

19-year-old wounded in drive-by shooting in NW Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 19-year-old man is expected to survive after being shot in the face during a drive-by shooting Sunday afternoon in northwest Harris County, deputies said.

According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, the victim apparently stopped off to visit his grandmother and was walking home on North Meadow when something went terribly wrong.

“We were inside watching the game, and we heard what we thought was fireworks,” said neighbor Bruce Davenport. “A little while later, we came out, and there was police everywhere.”

“He was screaming on the ground. He was screaming and hollering, somebody help me,” said Richard Edwards, who lives across the street from where the shooting took place.

He had been shot three times – in his knee, elbow and face. Deputies did recover what appeared to be shell casings at the scene, the apparent result of a drive-by shooting.

The victim was unable to identify the shooter. Remarkably, in spite of a gunshot wound to the face, he is expected to make a full recovery.