Houston deputy constable shot 6 times in ambush attack

(Reuters) -- A Houston deputy constable shot six times early on Thursday in an ambush after a traffic stop suffered wounds to his chest and abdomen, a law enforcement official said.

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Deputy Constable Alden Clopton, an 11-year veteran of the force, underwent hours of surgery at a Houston hospital on Thursday morning, said Lieutenant Holland Jones of Harris County Precinct 7.

"This is a tragic, tragic incidence," he said.

"The doctors are telling us that he has some damage to his abdominal area. They are also telling us that he has a bullet lodged in his heart."

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Houston police are questioning a person of interest matching the suspect's description, but so far no arrests have been made, Houston Police spokesman Kese Smith said.

The incident occurred after a traffic stop made by another deputy constable. Clopton arrived as a backup and was speaking to the other deputy constable after the person pulled over had left.

As he was speaking to his colleague through a window on her patrol vehicle, Clopton was hit by gunfire, Smith said.

The other deputy constable returned fire, Smith said, but it was unclear if the suspect was hit.

The motive for the shooting was not clear.

Texas constables are local law enforcement officers separate from police.

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