December 30, 2011 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an off-duty HPD officer discharged his duty weapon at a burglary of a motor vehicle suspect believed to be armed at 17595 Tomball Parkway (State Highway 249) service road about 3:50 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 29).

At this time it is unknown if the suspect, described only as a black male, was wounded in this incident.

Sergeant M. Dillingham, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured. Sergeant Dillingham was sworn in as an officer in August 1996 and is assigned to the Gang Division.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant K. Deese and Officer B. Oxspring reported:

Sergeant Dillingham, off-duty and in plain clothes, exited a restaurant at the above address and saw an adult black male standing at the rear of the sergeant's parked vehicle. The trunk was open and the male suspect was going through its contents.

Sergeant Dillingham identified himself as an HPD officer and drew his duty weapon. The suspect then got into a vehicle parked next to Sergeant Dillingham's car and began to pull out of the parking space. The suspect had what appeared to a gun in his hand as he drove toward Sergeant Dillingham. Sergeant Dillingham, fearing for his life, fired several shots at the suspect.

The suspect then continued to drive out of the parking lot and turned the wrong way onto the service feeder road. He then struck a citizen's vehicle and continued to flee the scene. The citizens were not injured and the suspect remains at large at this time.

Anyone with information on the suspect or his whereabouts is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

As is customary when an HPD officer discharges his duty weapon, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.

KJS/VHS 12-30-11
Inc. #167166111