A Texas cop was shot dead and two other deputies were wounded during an 'ambush attack' outside of a Houston nightclub early Saturday morning, police officials said.
'We believe they were ambushed, shot from behind,' said James Jones, executive assistant chief of the Houston Police Department.
'This is a terrible time,' Jones added.
None of the three shot cops were identified as of Saturday afternoon.
The Harris County deputies were working 'police-related extra jobs' as security for the 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston, officials said.
Around 2:25 am on Saturday, authorities say the officers were ambushed outside of the nightclub along the North Freeway
The deputies, who work out of Harris County, were working 'police-related extra jobs' as security for the 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston
Pictured: the inside of 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston, where the officers were ambushed while checking a disturbance while working security
The three had gone outside to check on a disturbance around 2:25am when they were shot while trying to detain a suspect along the North Freeway, Jones said.
One deputy was killed at the scene, with a second being shot in the back, requiring emergency surgery early Saturday morning. The third was shot in the foot and was awaiting surgery.
'Turns out it may have been a robbery that they were intervening in,' Jones said, adding it wasn't clear whether or not they were able to return fire.
The suspect is believed to be a young Hispanic male, officials said.
At least one 'person of interest' was detained by police at the
