Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed male suspect by HPD officers at 11050 Southwest Freeway about 9:10 p.m. on February 22.
The identity of the deceased male is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Officers W. LeBlanc, H. Romero and M. Alagi, who discharged their duty weapons, were not injured in the incident. The officers are assigned to the Westside Patrol Division. Officers LeBlanc and Romero were sworn in as HPD officers in August 2024. Officer Alagi was sworn in as an HPD officer in October 2023.
HPD Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit Detectives K. Vu, M. Child and J. De La Torre reported:
HPD patrol officers responded to report of shots fired at a hotel at the above address. Preliminary information indicated a male suspect was discharging a firearm on the third floor.
When officers arrived, a citizen directed them to the right side of the building, stating that the suspect was in that area. Officers observed a male matching the suspect’s description carrying a rifle. Officers issued verbal commands, instructing the suspect to drop the rifle. The suspect raised the rifle, pointed it at the officers, and fired.
Officers discharged their service weapons, striking the suspect. Officers immediately began rendering first aid until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident
Officers subsequently located a female on the third floor of the hotel who suffered a gunshot graze during the initial shooting by the suspect. She was not seriously injured.
As is customary in officer involved shooting incidents, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.