A tense and emotional standoff in Houston Thursday afternoon caused a major traffic jam on I-45 when a 64-year-old woman brought the highway to a halt by sitting in the middle of traffic with a gun in hand. The situation lasted for five hours and ended peacefully, thanks to quick thinking and negotiations with her family.
What Happened During the Standoff?
The incident began when the woman, who was later revealed to be struggling with suicidal thoughts and a history of mental health issues, intentionally rammed her vehicle into an 18-wheeler. After the crash, she got out of her car and set up a folding chair in the middle of the highway, then sat down with a .38 revolver, holding it near her face.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded quickly, but the situation was difficult to control. According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the woman continuously held the gun close to her face, making it dangerous for officers to approach and disarm her.
Negotiations and Crisis Intervention
As traffic quickly backed up for miles, authorities called in a Crisis Intervention Response Team to assist in handling the situation. A mental health specialist tried to communicate with the woman, but progress was slow. It wasn’t until deputies brought in the woman’s daughter that things began to calm down.
Sheriff Gonzalez later explained that once the woman realized her daughter was there and that she would be safe, she became more rational. “That was something that kept her here with us from doing something foolish,” Gonzalez said.
Peaceful Resolution
After several tense hours, the woman finally surrendered without injury. “Someone’s mother, grandmother is coming home tonight,” Sheriff Gonzalez said. “Maybe not tonight, after she gets some help, but they’re not injured, they’re not dead. We didn’t have to use force to take her into custody. She’s able to get the help she needs and that’s a win for everybody.”
The peaceful end to the standoff was a reminder of the importance of mental health support and family intervention in crisis situations. Thankfully, this situation ended without any lives lost or anyone seriously hurt, allowing the woman to receive the care she needed.