The Woodlands Deputy Shot During Traffic Stop

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – June 17, 2024 – A routine traffic stop Monday morning in The Woodlands escalated into an officer-involved shooting, leaving a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy and the suspect injured. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. in a parking lot on Research Forest Drive, is now under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary K. Magers, a K9 unit officer, initiated the stop on a grey Chevrolet sedan in the 2000 block of Research Forest Drive. According to officials, during the interaction, the driver, identified as 61-year-old Peter James Claude, reportedly produced a handgun, leading to an exchange of gunfire between Claude and Deputy Magers.

Deputy Magers sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. He was transported to a local hospital where he is reported to be in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Claude was also hit multiple times during the exchange and was taken to a local hospital, where he is also in stable condition.

Following the shooting, Claude was arrested. He faces a serious charge of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant, with his bond set at $500,000. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail.

The exact circumstances that led to Claude allegedly pulling out a weapon and the subsequent exchange of gunfire remain a key focus of the ongoing investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Homicide/Violent Crimes Unit has taken the lead on the case, working in conjunction with the Texas Rangers. This multi-agency investigation is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings to ensure a thorough and impartial review of all events.

The 2000 block of Research Forest Drive is a busy commercial corridor in The Woodlands, home to various businesses and professional offices. Authorities have not yet released the initial reason for Deputy Magers’ traffic stop, stating that information is part of the active investigation.

Further details regarding the incident are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.