The Huntsville Police Department, along with several other law enforcement agencies, carried out a SWAT operation on Wednesday in the vicinity of White Circle and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This joint effort resulted in the successful arrest of a suspect who was wanted in connection with a murder in Texas.
Officials have identified the accused killer as Ethan Amaya. He was wanted on a murder warrant in Lubbock County for an incident that occurred on January 4, 2025. Law enforcement tracked Amaya to a residence on White Circle and took action to apprehend him. While the other occupants of the house complied with orders to exit, Amaya refused to surrender. Consequently, authorities called for extra resources to peacefully resolve the standoff.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) released a statement on their Facebook page, stating that they have made repeated efforts to have the individual surrender himself. They have also called for additional law enforcement resources to be present at the scene, with the intention of resolving the situation peacefully.
Authorities have reassured residents that despite the ongoing situation, there is no immediate threat to the surrounding community.
Huntsville Independent School District (HISD) operations remained unaffected, ensuring smooth functioning. As a precautionary measure, school resource officers were promptly notified, and transportation services continued without any disruptions. In collaboration with law enforcement, parents were coordinated to safely escort children residing near White Circle from bus stops to their homes.
HPD Chief Slaven expressed his gratitude to all the assisting agencies, with a special mention to Conroe PD, for their quick and well-coordinated efforts.
