Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a male suspect by a Harris County Sheriff's deputy that occurred at 17600 Imperial Valley about 1 p.m. on Thursday (March 22).  

The suspect, Danny Ray Thomas, 34, was transported to Houston Northwest Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The Harris County Sheriff's deputy who discharged his duty weapon was not injured.

HPD Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit Detectives L. Bailey, M. Millington, E. Rodriguez and J. Snook reported:

According to witnesses, Thomas was walking in the middle of the intersection of Imperial Valley and Greens Rd with his pants around his ankles, talking to himself and hitting vehicles as they passed by.  Thomas then struck a white vehicle, and the driver exited and engaged in a physical altercation with the suspect.  A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling southbound on Imperial Valley and viewed the altercation as he approached the intersection.  The deputy exited his vehicle to stop the altercation, at which time the suspect started walking toward him.  The deputy gave Thomas verbal commands to stop, which he ignored and continued to advance toward the deputy.  Fearing for his safety,  the deputy discharged his duty weapon, striking Thomas once in the chest.  He was then transported to the hospital by HFD paramedics. 

As is customary in officer-involved shooting incidents in the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.