Texas Deputy's Murder: Suspect Charged, Community Mourns
A suspect faces murder charges in the shooting of a Texas deputy constable. The slain officer, remembered as a dedicated Palestinian American, was honored at a funeral attended by law enforcement and local officials.
In a tragic incident that has shaken Harris County, the largest county in Texas and third most populous in the United States, a suspect has been charged with the murder of Deputy Constable Maher Husseini. The announcement came on September 5, 2024, coinciding with Husseini's funeral service.
Athir Murady, 40, faces one count of murder for allegedly shooting Husseini on September 3, 2024. The incident occurred as Husseini, who was not in uniform and driving his personal vehicle, stopped at an intersection in west Houston while en route to work.
Husseini, who had served with the Harris County Constable's Office since 2021, was remembered as a dedicated public servant. The Harris County Constable's Office, notably the largest of its kind in the United States, lost a valued member of its force.
At the funeral service, Abdurahman Hejazi, a religious scholar from Masjid Al-Salam Mosque, eulogized Husseini:
"He was a community servant who strove to make the world a better and safer place. Safety, security and community well-being were manifested in his community service."
Husseini's Palestinian American heritage and commitment to his Islamic faith were highlighted during the service. Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., is known for its significant Muslim population, reflecting the diverse community Husseini served.
The suspect's apprehension involved a dramatic chase that ended in Galveston Bay, part of the seventh-largest estuary in the United States. Sgt. Nick Yeley of the Galveston deputy city marshal spotted Murady's vehicle in Galveston, about 60 miles from the shooting site. After a brief pursuit, Murady drove into the bay and attempted to swim away before being captured.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office, the largest prosecutor's office in Texas, has filed a motion requesting a $5 million bond for Murady. As of September 6, 2024, Murady was held without bond in Galveston County on a charge of evading arrest, pending transfer to Houston.
The investigation into the motive behind the shooting continues. This tragic event has brought attention to the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the importance of community policing in diverse areas like Harris County, which encompasses eight constable precincts.
As the community mourns, Husseini's legacy as a proud Palestinian American and dedicated officer serves as a reminder of the diverse backgrounds of those who choose to serve and protect in the United States.
