Latest news with #HoustonPolice
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
After source of death threats identified, Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. happy ‘it's behind us'
PITTSBURGH — One day after police identified a man who directed death threats toward him, Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. expressed relief at a resolution while acknowledging he would 'be open' to an apology. A Houston Police Department spokesperson described the man as a bettor who lives overseas and was 'frustrated and inebriated when he lashed out on social media.' Advertisement '(A) resolution is nice. Him not being close to Houston, Texas, is nice,' McCullers said after throwing six scoreless innings during Tuesday's 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 'Thanks to all the fans. Everyone has been super supportive. I hope to just put it behind us and hopefully no one else has to deal with that kind of thing. It's just kind of behind us now. But thanks to everyone that was on it and made our family feel safe.' The Houston Police Department is withholding the suspect's identity because no charges have been filed, the spokesperson said on Monday. Asked on Tuesday whether he considered the matter resolved without pressing charges, McCullers replied 'Well, he lives overseas.' 'You just want your kids safe,' McCullers continued. 'I think any parent would agree with that statement. I'm happy that it's over and behind us and I'm looking to just keep pitching and playing baseball.' McCullers, a father of two young daughters, received the threats via social media on May 10 following a disastrous start against the Cincinnati Reds. Among the threats, according to McCullers, were 'threatening to find (my kids) or next time they see us in public, they're going to stab my kids to death.' The bettor was described as apologetic and the person asked that authorities pass along apologies to McCullers and his family, the spokesperson said. McCullers said on Tuesday he had not heard from the person accused of making the threats but would be amenable to an apology. 'As a follower of Christ I'm called to love our neighbor and to forgive,' McCullers said. 'I would be open to that, but for me, I'm just happy it's behind us and thankful to everyone that was involved in this in keeping us safe.' Tuesday's scoreless start lowered McCullers' ERA to 2.21 in the 20 1/3 innings since his outing against the Reds. He matched zeroes with Pittsburgh Pirates sensation Paul Skenes throughout a pitcher's duel that doubled as a milestone evening for McCullers. McCullers, who debuted during the 2015 season but has seen his career derailed by two reconstructive elbow surgeries, earned his 50th major-league win. 'Took a while,' he said with a smile, 'but we got there.'
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Inebriated bettor behind death threats to Astros' Lance McCullers and his family, police say
Police say a frustrated bettor was behind the death threats directed at Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. and his family after a poor outing by the pitcher in May. The man was identified and 'was found to be a resident overseas,' a Houston Police Department spokesperson told The Athletic. The man told investigators he lost money wagering on the Astros and was 'frustrated and inebriated when he lashed out on social media,' the spokesperson said. Advertisement Police say they are withholding the suspect's identity as no charges have been filed yet. The suspect was apologetic and asked that investigators pass on his apologies to McCullers' family, police said. The threats were sent to McCullers via social media and followed a 13-9 Astros loss against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10. At the time, an Astros spokesman said the team notified HPD and Major League Baseball security about the threats toward the 31-year-old right-hander, who was making his second start of the season. 'It's been a tough evening,' McCullers said in May. 'I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with.' McCullers needed a moment to compose himself while describing that evening's toll. 'I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public, they're going to stab my kids to death, it's tough to hear as a dad,' McCullers said. McCullers faced eight batters, allowed seven runs and recorded just one out in the outing. He returned to the Astros' rotation earlier in May after a 915-day absence due to flexor tendon surgery and a slew of subsequent setbacks. McCullers threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his season debut against the Chicago White Sox on May 4, but battled his command and inefficiency throughout the outing. McCullers acknowledged there have been 'many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly.' He didn't specify when he received those other threats, but he is one of two remaining members of the Astros' 2017 World Series team that illegally stole signs en route to the title. Players later revealed they had received threats over social media. 'You fail on a very large stage. A lot of eyes, and there's nowhere to hide,' McCullers said. 'At the end of the day, I just want to do my job and be a good pitcher for the Astros. I believe I will get there. Having to worry about that, having to worry about leaving town and leaving them and things like that or dropping her off at school, there should be some type of decency.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Northwest Houston: Suspect crashes into home during chase, injuring man inside, police say
The Brief Houston police said a man was injured after a person driving a stolen vehicle crashed into his house during a police chase. The man was taken to an area hospital in stable condition. The suspect ran from the scene but was caught. HOUSTON - Houston police said a man was injured early Saturday morning after a police chase resulted in a suspect crashing into a home. What we know Authorities said officers located a stolen vehicle near Cotton Drive around 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The driver led Houston police on a chase resulting in officers using an "approved stopping technique." The driver then crashed into a house and ran. Police were able to catch the suspect. Police said a 25-year-old man was inside the house at the time of the crash. The man was taken to an area hospital with injuries. What we don't know Police did not provide any details about the person arrested during the chase. The Source Information in this article comes from the Houston Police Department.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly Houston train-pedestrian crash: Trespasser killed on Melbourne Street
The Brief Houston police are investigating following a deadly pedestrian vs. train crash. The crash occurred in the 3500 block of Melbourne Street. Officials said the call came in just before 4:15 p.m. HOUSTON - Union Pacific officials said a trespasser on Union Pacific property was struck and killed by a train on Friday. What we know According to authorities, the crash occurred in the 3500 block of Melbourne Street. Officials said the call came in just before 4:15 p.m. Union Pacific officials said the trespasser on Union Pacific property was struck and killed by a train. The train crew was not injured and support is being offered to crew members operating the train at the time of the incident. What we don't know Officials have not provided the name of the person who was killed. The Source Information from the Houston Police Department and Union Pacific officials.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer struck in his leg by vehicle in east Houston, police say
The Brief The incident was reported early Sunday on Maxey Road. A vehicle was heading toward an officer who was detaining another driver. The driver of the striking vehicle is under investigation. HOUSTON - A Houston police officer is recovering after he was hit in his leg by a vehicle early Sunday morning. What we know The incident was reported shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of Maxey Road. A police officer was initially stopping a suspected stolen vehicle at the scene. As he was detaining the driver, a second vehicle was allegedly approaching them without slowing down. The oncoming vehicle then struck the back door of the officer's patrol car. The officer jumped into the car to avoid getting hurt, but he was hit in his leg during the incident. The officer was taken to a hospital for an evaluation. His injuries are reportedly minor, and he is expected to recover. The driver of the striking vehicle is reportedly being tested for any impairments. What we don't know No information is available regarding the traffic stop that happened before the car crash. It's not clear if the driver of that vehicle was injured. The Source OnScene and Houston Police Sergeant Richards
