Incident at 7929 Clinton Drive

December 31, 2006 -- The fatal shooting of an aggravated assault suspect at 7929 Clinton Drive about 10 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 30) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The identity of the suspect, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, is pending identification by the Harris County Medical Examiner's office.

The assault victim, Dagoberto Escalante, 56, suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in an unknown condition.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant T. Huynh and Officer K. Carr reported:

HPD officers initially responded to a shooting call at the Maria Bonita Bar located at 7929 Clinton Drive at 7:45 p.m. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Escalante, who works as a security guard for the bar. He reported that he had removed the unknown suspect from the premises because he was armed with a knife and that as the suspect drove off, he fired a handgun in his direction. Escalante returned fire, however, no one was injured. Officers made a police report and left the scene (Inc. #200329006).

Officers responded to a second shooting call at approximately 10 p.m. According to Escalante, the suspect returned to the bar and confronted him by placing a gun to his head and threatening to shoot him. The men began fighting over the gun, which discharged twice. The first shot struck Escalante in the left shoulder and the second shot struck the suspect in the head. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

NJM 12/31/06
Inc #200399606

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.