A police officer in Texas has been charged with assault after he allegedly shot his wife in the face with a rifle.

The suspect has been named as Galib Waheed Chowdhury, 31, and he has been charged with aggravated assault of a family member with serious bodily injury after he allegedly shot his wife in the face with the weapon.

Houston Police Department (HPD) Chief Troy Finner said that the police department is calling the incident a case of domestic violence.

Police reportedly responded to the incident shortly after midnight on Monday, 12th June, and found the woman, who has not been named, with a gunshot wound to the face.

They arrested the off-duty police officer, with the police saying that the shooting was a result of a domestic argument without going into details.

The victim was taken to hospital and underwent surgery. She is reportedly expected to survive. The police chief told local media that the rifle was not one assigned to the officer by the force but was one that he owned privately.

Finner said that the suspect has been with the police department for two years, adding: “It’s difficult. We all took an oath of office to serve and protect, but we’re human as well and this hurts.”

He added: “This is the exception rather than the rule. I want to stand on that, but at the same time it’s important for the public to know, there is accountability here at HPD. Respecting the due process. I’m expediting my administrative part on it. That’s a promise.”

CEN obtained a statement from the HPD in the US state of Texas today, on Tuesday, 13th June, saying: “Galib Waheed Chowdhury, 31, is charged with aggravated assault of a family member with serious bodily injury in the shooting of his wife.

“Chowdhury, an off-duty HPD officer at the time of the shooting, is relieved of duty.”

The police also said: “Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the shooting of a woman that occurred at 10333 Clay Road about 12:35 a.m. today (June 12).

“The suspect, Galib Waheed Chowdhury, 31, is charged with aggravated assault of a family member with serious bodily injury in the 338th State District Court.”

The statement explained: “Chowdhury, an HPD officer, was off-duty at the time of the shooting. He has been relieved of duty pending an administrative investigation. Chowdhury was sworn in as an officer in March 2021 and was assigned to the Northwest Patrol Division.

“The victim, 30, was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

“HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Detectives N. Alvarado, T. Vaca, V. Praxedes and O. Flores reported:

“HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex at the above address and found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face and hand. Houston Fire Department paramedics transported her to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.”

The statement continued: “Subsequent investigation determined the victim was shot by her husband, Chowdhury. He was arrested and charged for his role in the shooting.

“As is customary in officer-involved shootings in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.”

The shooting is also set to be investigated by Internal Affairs.