Police Officer Shot In Face By Robbery Suspect After High-Speed Chase

Missouri, Texas, -- A Texas police officer has been shot in the face by a robbery suspect after a high-speed chase, authorities said.

The 29-year-old female officer from Missouri, identified as Crystal Sepulveda, is recovering at a hospital, while the suspect who was shot by the cops died later.

Missouri City Police Department deputies spotted the unidentified suspect, who was involved in a robbery, at around 2 a.m. Saturday in a vehicle that they believe was stolen the previous day. The deputies followed the suspect after he pulled out of a gas station and called Houston police for backup.

Following a high-speed chase, the suspect who crashed the vehicle got out and began running. During the foot chase, the suspect allegedly fired at the officers. Sepulveda was shot twice, including in her face, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said in a press conference Saturday.

The suspect was armed with "two automatic guns with extended magazines," according to reports. The officers returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times before he was shifted to a hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators did not reveal the suspect's identity but said he was between 25 and 30 years old, Star-Telegram reported.

Two Houston police officers reportedly fired at the suspect. The case of the fatal shooting will be investigated by the Fort Bend County District attorney's office, NBC News reported.

Sepulveda is expected to survive.

"Our sister is a fighter and will survive her injuries. We stand beside her and her family in this time, for we know the road to recovery is long," Missouri City Police Department Officer's Association said in a Facebook post Sunday.

A 23-year-old Black man was fatally shot by the cops in California last week while he tried to run away from police. A video of the incident went viral on social media and sparked public outrage. The San Bernardino police department then released another video clarifying the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. It showed the victim, identified as Robert Adams, drawing a gun at the officers while walking toward their unmarked vehicle.