64-Year-Old Sits in Chair With Gun on Busy Houston Freeway

A 64-year-old woman brought Houston traffic to a standstill Thursday afternoon after she planted a folding chair in the middle of I‑45 with a gun in hand, leading to a five-hour police standoff.

According to Harris County Precinct 4 deputies, the woman "intentionally" rammed into an 18-wheeler. The 64-year-old then planted a lawn chair in the middle of traffic and sat down with a .38 revolver.

Negotiators were called to try and help diffuse the situation. However, the situation became increasingly more difficult as the woman continued to hold the gun near her face.

“She persistently kept it to her face, her throat, her head, therefore making it very difficult for us to approach her and take the gun away,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Traffic is at a standstill.

A Crisis Intervention Response Team was called in as traffic began to back up for miles. A trained mental health specialist tried reasoning with the woman but it wasn't until deputies called in the woman's daughter that things began to defuse.

The woman, who the sheriff revealed, was experiencing suicidal thoughts, had a history of psychosis and mental health issues. However, when she got a chance to speak with her daughter, she became more rational.

“That was something that kept her here with us from doing something foolish. Once she realized her daughter was here, she was safe, she was going to be allowed to see her again, it got better at that point," Sheriff Gonzalez said.

Hours later, the woman finally surrendered safely.

“Someone’s mother, grandmother is coming home tonight, 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.”

Thanks to patience, empathy, and one determined daughter, no one lost their life on I-45 today.