Armed Suspect Fatally Shot by METRO Police Officer at 6000 Fairdale

August 3, 2011 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by an on-duty METRO police officer in the 6000 block of Fairdale about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 2).

The deceased suspect, Nolton Joseph LaFleur III (b/m, DOB: 4-24-82), suffered multiple gun shot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.A second suspect, identified as Brandon Stevenson (b/m, DOB: 10-6-83), faces a charge of evading on foot. Stevenson is also wanted on a robbery warrant out of Arkansas.

METRO Police Officer R. Hernandez, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant T. Biggs and Officer M. Condon reported:

METRO Police Officer R. Hernandez saw suspect LaFleur driving a blue Nissan sedan at a high rate of speed, northbound on Fountainview, and running a red light. METRO Police Officer Hernandez, in his patrol vehicle,caught up with the Nissan at an apartment security gate at 6014 Fairdale. As METRO Police Officer Hernandez stopped behind the Nissan and approached the vehicle on the driver's side, a male passenger (Stevenson)jumped out. METRO Police Officer Hernandez then saw a pistol in the center console cup holder by LaFleur's right hand. METRO Police Officer Hernandez then gave LaFleur verbal commands to put his hands up and away from the gun.

The complex gate then opened andStevenson ran into the complex. Lafleur put his vehicle in reverse, backed the car around the patrol vehicle, continued in reverse on Fairdale and backed the Nissan into a drainage ditch on the north side of the street. Lafleur then repeatedly put the vehicle in drive and reverse in an attempt to get out of the ditch. METRO Police Officer Hernandez then approached the vehicle on the driver's side and repeated verbal commands for LaFleur to put his hands up. At that time, an HPD patrol officer arrived at the scene to assist METRO Police Officer Hernandez.

Lafleur ignored METRO Police Officer Hernandez's verbal commands and reached for his pistol. Fearing for his safety and that of the HPD officer on the scene, METRO Police Officer Hernandez discharged his duty weapon several times and struck LaFleur, who died at the scene. Stevenson was found hiding in the attic of a nearby townhouse and was taken into custody a short time later.

As is customary in officer-involved shootings occurring in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

VHS/KJS 8-3-11

Inc. #100074211

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