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Houston Police Department
Investigation into Incident at 550 FM 1959
August 13, 2010 - An incident in which two HPD officers discharged their duty weapons at an armed, suspected burglar at 550 FM 1959 about 4:15 a.m. today (Aug. 13) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.
The officers who discharged their weapons, Officer J. Frank and Officer C. Rohling, were not injured. Officer Frank, sworn in as an officer in July 2006, and Officer Rohling, sworn in as an officer in December 2003, are both assigned to the Gang Division.
HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer R. Bolton and Officer M. Stahlin reported:
In response to several burglaries in the past few months, a uniformed HPD officer, in an unmarked vehicle, was conducting surveillance at the above address. The officer observed a vehicle enter the parking lot and saw a male exit and go to the back of the commercial strip center, out of view. The officer then requested a marked patrol vehicle check the alley for signs of criminal activity.
Two uniformed officers, Officers Frank and Rohling, arrived and began checking the rear of the strip center. As they were doing so, one of the back doors suddenly opened and two males, one of them holding a pistol, rushed outside. Both officers identified themselves and ordered the armed male to drop the weapon. When he failed to do so, both officers fired their weapons one time each. Neither male was struck. The two males, along with a third male inside the business, were detained until it was determined that all three were employees of the business and had mistaken the police officers for burglars.
As is customary when an HPD officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.
KJS/JFC 8-13-10
Inc. #115612110
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
