Who is Kendrick Simpo? Hero cop tackles suspect and stops possible mass shooting in Houston
HOUSTON, TEXAS: On February 5, 2022, Sgt Kendrick Simpo, while working his second job as a security guard at the Galleria Mall in Houston's Uptown District, received a call about a man carrying a rifle. The armed man who was a potential threat was spotted near Macy's. Simpo, along with another security guard, quickly ran towards the store but made sure that they didn't startle anyone as hundreds of children were present there for a dance competition. The cop sprung into action, apprehended the man, and prevented an alleged mass shooting that could have potentially killed the children too.
Ever since February, this is the first that the heroic cop has decided to talk about the incident. While talking to ABC 13, Sgt Simpo said, "I definitely know what I signed up for 20 years ago when I got into this profession." He recalled the day of the incident, "I did know there was a dance competition with little kids going on at the Westin Ballroom, so I didn't pull my weapon out because I didn't want to be running towards the Macy's area, which is past the ballroom area, with the gun out and startle anyone. I knew if a person did have a rifle and they were inside the mall, I was pretty much outnumbered because all I had was a handgun at the time. My handgun and his rifle, I was already at a disadvantage." Simpo then saw the suspect almost 10 feet from the entrance of the Westin Ballroom where the shooting was allegedly going to take place.
ALSO READ
Who is Demi Minor? Trans woman who impregnated 2 inmates in women's prison moved to MALE facility
'Our jaws dropped': BBC has shocking pic of Prince Andrew that could SHAKE the monarchy if revealed
Simpo was responsible for the arrest of Guido Herrera as he was able to point the rifle upwards and pin him against the wall. Help quickly arrived and the police took away Herrera. According to the police, the alleged mass shooting suspect was carrying a rifle, a Bible with the Old Testament passage about Sodom and Gomora bookmarked, 120 rounds of ammunition, and a handgun. The officials arrested Herrera and he was seen wearing a black Punisher shirt, tactical pants, gloves, and a leather mask with spikes. However, according to Texas law, he did not commit a felony offense as he didn't shoot anyone. Simpo stopped an attack that could have potentially killed hundreds of people, considering the amount of ammo Herrera had.
Who is Kendrick Simpo?
Not much is known about Sgt Kendrick Simpo, but according to the Houston Chronicle, Simpo is a 14-year veteran of the Houston Police Department and currently works in the Houston Police Victim Services Division. Simpo revealed how he tackled the suspect who had a rifle, "I quickly bum-rushed, tackled him, and my first reaction was to make sure that I get a hold of the rifle. No matter what I grabbed, make sure I grabbed that rifle. I had in my mind [that] I was going to get shot, I just had to bear the pain. I knew it was going to hurt and I was like, 'Whatever I do, I cannot let go of this rifle.'"
TOP STORIES
The tragic loneliness of Sheila Seleoane: Woman, 61, lay dead in her flat for TWO YEARS
Merely a month after he was apprehended, suspect Guido Herrera was once again arrested as he barged into the FBI headquarters in Houston and demanded to meet with the director of the FBI. The officials grew suspicious and later found a gun in his car. However, he was only charged with two misdemeanor charges -- disorderly conduct and unlawful carrying of a weapon -- for both incidents. Herrera's lawyer Armen Mejanian told the Houston Chronicle in the same report, "He has a right to possess these weapons whether we like them or not."