A woman who was shot by a security guard outside the Houston Zoo is speaking out about the incident that left her hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. Diamond Hunter, a mother of four, shared her side of the story with ABC13 after the traumatizing event.
The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon when Hunter got into an argument with another driver over a parking spot outside the Houston Zoo. According to Hunter, the altercation escalated when the man allegedly hit her 2-year-old child. Both parties called for security, and a security guard arrived at the scene.
Hunter explained that she informed the guard that she was going to park in another area, but as she was pulling out of the parking lot at a slow speed, the guard reportedly shot at her, hitting her in the head and cheek, and causing fragments to scatter across her chest. Hunter’s children, who were in the car at the time, were also covered in their mother’s blood as a result of the shooting.
The Houston Police Department reported that the security guard started firing into Hunter’s car after she hit him with her vehicle. Both Hunter and the guard were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident is still under investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, but as of now, no charges have been filed against anyone involved. Hunter expressed her frustration at not hearing from investigators and shared her emotional turmoil from the traumatic experience.
Her partner, Oscar Chappel, criticized the lack of proper training provided to individuals entrusted with guns and badges, emphasizing that possessing a gun and a badge does not exempt one from accountability and the law.
The parking lot where the incident occurred is managed by the City of Houston, according to a spokesperson for the Houston Zoo. The community awaits further updates on the investigation to determine the accountability and repercussions surrounding the shooting.
As Hunter continues to recover from her injuries, her story serves as a reminder of the potential dangers and consequences that can arise from escalated confrontations involving security personnel. The incident sheds light on the importance of proper training, communication, and conflict resolution in such situations to prevent tragic outcomes.
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