Houston police are investigating the shooting of an armed male suspect by an HPD officer at 7812 Tierwester Drive about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday (April 30).
The suspect was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
HPD Officer S. Palin, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured. He is assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in November 2020.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Detectives C. Walker and H. Le reported:
HPD’s Southeast Division’s Crime Suppression Team officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle in the 2800 block of Reed Road. The driver of the stolen vehicle (suspect) refused to stop, starting a pursuit. The suspect led officers to the above address, an apartment complex, exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot through the complex.
Uniformed officers, driving a marked patrol vehicle with lights and sirens, then pursued the suspect on foot. Officers observed the suspect display a handgun and cycle the weapon’s slide. As officers attempted to detain the suspect, a struggle ensued between one of the pursuing officers and the suspect. The suspect continued to refuse to follow the officer’s commands.
The officer, fearing for his own safety and those around him, fired his weapon striking the suspect. Life-saving measures were immediately taken by officers and the suspect was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured during the incident.
As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, this incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.