Gonzalez says injured deputy in good spirits during hospital visit

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in an Aug. 21 Twitter post that he visited injured deputy Joseph Anderson in the hospital and the latter is doing well. The suspect accused of shooting Anderson recently made his first court appearance and was denied bond.

“I found him to be in good spirits, sitting down and smiling,” Gonzalez said in his Twitter post. “He wanted me to convey his appreciation for the outpouring of support from our citizens, his agency teammates, and colleagues from all agencies. He asked for continued prayers for a speedy recovery.”

In his Twitter post, the sheriff added that retired National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal sent a video wishing the 29-year-old Anderson, who is recovering from a traffic stop shooting earlier this month, the best. “Great gesture by Shaq and much appreciated.” Gonzalez said.

FOX 26 Houston reports that authorities arrested the alleged shooter, 34-year-old Tarran Green, on Aug. 17 following a five-hour standoff at a residence in the 11500 block of Silhouette Ridge, near Summer Creek High School. Citing the U.S. Marshals Office, the station reports that members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force attempted to apprehend Green at the house. Shots were allegedly fired.

According to KHOU Channel 11, aside from Anderson, Green is accused of shooting another Harris County Sheriff’s deputy and two U.S. Marshals for which he’s facing four counts of attempted murder of a police officer. KHOU reports that Green made his first court appearance on Aug. 21 and remains in jail after the judge declined to give him bond. The station reported the suspect has three stints in prison to his name. 

"The defendant is a true habitual, so we will be filing no bond motions in each of his cases and seeking to deny his bail," Rebecca Marshall with the Harris County District Attorney’s (DA) Office told KHOU.