Authorities are investigating how a chase with a suspect led to a shooting early Thursday morning in Brazoria County.
It happened near Rosharon’s Sandy Point Loop on Highway 288.
According to Madison Polston, Public Affairs Director for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a woman called 911 to report a “impending disturbance.” She claimed that an unidentified man was on his way to her home, and deputies were aware that he had outstanding warrants for assault.
At the scene, Polston was unable to reveal the nature of their relationship, but the man was not present when responding officers arrived. However, investigators did notice a car that matched the man’s vehicle description “committing a traffic violation.” That same car then turned into the victim’s neighbourhood, and when deputies attempted to pull him over, he fled, sparking a chase.
Deputies established a perimeter while the driver sped away, heading the opposite direction on the highway before colliding with a ditch. He then got out of his car and walked into the woods.
Deputies were able to locate him in the densely wooded area, where he allegedly brandished a knife when they attempted to arrest him. Two deputies then fired on him.
He was flown to a hospital in the Houston area, where he died of his injuries, according to investigators.
The suspect has been identified as Daniel Areh, 27, of Houston.
According to court records, Areh was given deferred adjudication in a 2023 family member assault case in Harris County, and in 2024, a judge ordered him to serve two years of community supervision.
According to policy, the officers who fired their weapons will be placed on administrative leave while Brazoria County conducts an internal investigation and the Texas Rangers conduct a separate, external investigation.
Details are limited due to the ongoing investigation, but officials with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a pursuit occurred and at least one person (a suspect) was shot by a deputy.
There were no officers injured, and details about how everything happened are limited as of this writing.
