Fatal Shooting at 9400 North Freeway

April 9, 2009 - The fatal shooting of a male suspect and wounding of two others in the 9400 block of the North Freeway (Interstate Highway 45 North) about 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday (Apr. 8) will be referred to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

The deceased suspect, 17, was transported to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office. Two other male suspects also suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to area hospitals in unknown conditions.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. E. Roberts and Senior Police Officer R. A. Moreno reported:

Officers responded to a shooting call in the 7400 block of North Shepherd and found three males had been shot. Further investigation determined the incident began in the 9400 block of the North Freeway where the suspects, who were driving a white Pontiac Grand Prix, opened fire on the driver of a truck and then exited the freeway at West Gulf Bank. The truck driver stopped his vehicle on the West Gulf Bank overpass, got a rifle from his backseat for protection and then walked to the back of his truck. As he looked over the side of the freeway to see the license plate of the Pontiac, the truck driver saw the driver's side window of the Pontiac open and feared the suspects would shoot at him again. Fearing for his life, the truck driver fired several shots at the Pontiac and struck the front seat passenger and the rear seat passenger. The driver of the Pontiac was struck in the face by flying glass and shrapnel. The front seat passenger later died at the hospital while the driver and rear seat passenger were treated for their injuries. A fourth male, 19, exited the Pontiac and fled on foot but was later located and taken into custody.

The D.A.'s office will determine if charges will be filed in this case, if it will be referred to a grand jury, or both.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

VHS/JFC/JC
Inc. #049839009

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