Incident at 7651 Gulfton

April 24, 2007 - Houston police are investigating the death of a man following an incident at 7651 Gulfton about 9:30 p.m. on Monday (Apr. 23).

The identity of the male, believed to be in his 30s, is unknown and pending verification by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant N.T. Ruland and Officer E.H. Schmidt reported:

Houston Fire Department paramedics were called to the apartments at 7651 Gulfton regarding a person with possible mental health problems. When HFD personnel arrived, they found the male disoriented and combative. Paramedics were unable to control the male, so they called for HPD assistance. Two officers responded and attemped to calm and then restrain the male, but those efforts were met with resistance from the suspect.

In an attempt to prevent injury to the male, the officer or HFD personnel, Officer S.R. Matus deployed his conducted energy device (CED), but it had no effect on him. Officer Matus deployed his CED an additional three times before the suspect stopped fighting. HFD paramedics then placed the suspect on a gurney, and while getting him to the ambulance, noticed the suspect was not breathing. Officer Matus assisted paramedics in performing CPR on the male. He was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officers were later told the male suspect had forced his way into a family’s apartment. The male has not been identified at this time so his history or why he was acting in this manner is unknown. Investigators will await results of an autopsy to determine his identity and cause of death.

As is customary in in-custody death incidents, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney’s office.

JFC/DWR 4-24-07
Inc #059240807

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