Houston Police Department

May 4, 2006 -- Charges have been filed against a burglary suspect wounded by a Houston police sergeant after he charged at the sergeant with a steel pry bar at 1300 Dart Street about 12:20 a.m. today (May 4).

The suspect, identified as Leroy Cooper (b/m, DOB 2-14-52), was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in serious condition and then taken into surgery. He has been charged with burglary of a building in the 337th State District Court.

HPD Sergeant D.J. Culak, who fired his weapon, was not injured.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant H.A. Riojas and Officer R. Cervantes reported:

Sergeant Culak and another officer were conducting surveillance at the HPD Vehicle Compound at 1300 Dart Street due to recent burglaries on the police department property. The officer saw the suspect making forced entry into a secured container on the property and relayed the information to Sergeant Culak, who was in a separate area on the property. Sergeant Culak went to the area where the suspect was seen and noticed the container had been breached and its doors were open. At that time, the sergeant saw the suspect inside the open doors and ordered him to stop what he was doing. Instead, the suspect turned around and charged at Sergeant Culak with a steel pry bar in his hand. The sergeant retreated, but the suspect continued to charge toward him. That is when Sergeant Culak fired his weapon, striking the suspect several times.

Sergeant Culak, assigned to the Auto Theft Division, was sworn in as an HPD officer in February 1978.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's office.

JFC/MES 5-4-06
Inc #069428906

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