Suspect Arrested Following Pursuit, Discovery of Deceased Male

March 5, 2009 - Charges have been filed against a suspect who fired shots from a rifle at Harris County Sheriff’s deputies during a pursuit that started with Houston police officers at 13485 Northwest Freeway (U.S. Highway 290) about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Mar. 4).

At the conclusion of the pursuit, officers found a deceased male shooting victim inside the suspect’s vehicle.  The suspect, Jaime Yanez (H/m, DOB:  9-19-85), is charged with murder and aggravated assault against a public servant in the 180^th State District Court. 

The name of the deceased male is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant W. Bush and Officer C. Sturdivant reported:

Witnesses, as well as an HPD officer on a nearby call, heard gunshots coming from the parking lot of a restaurant at 13485 Northwest Freeway service road at West Tidwell.  Witnesses got the officer’s attention and pointed to a white truck attempting to leave the parking lot.  The officer and a second arriving officer tried to stop the truck, but the driver failed to stop and fled the scene.

A pursuit began on the northbound lanes of the Northwest Freeway and ended in the 37500 block of Highway 290 near Kickapoo when the suspect stopped his truck and was taken into custody by Harris County Sheriff’s deputies.  At that time, a male was found dead inside the truck with a gunshot wound.  During the pursuit, the suspect fired shots from a semiautomatic rifle at deputies.  None of the deputies was injured. 

JFC/JC
Inc #032154209

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