July 25, 2011 - Houston police are asking for the public's help in locating a man who shot at a uniformed HPD officer at 600 Mercury about 3 a.m. on Sunday (July 24).

Officer J. C. Cruz, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Officer Cruz was sworn in as an officer in February of 2007 and is assigned to the Eastside Patrol Division.

HPD Homicide Division Sgt. R. Rohling and Officer J. Harvey reported:

Officer Cruz was on his way home from work when he observed the passenger of a tan Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck firing a pistol.  Officer Cruz followed the vehicle in an attempt to get its license plate and notify on-duty patrol units of the incident.  The suspect then fired at Officer Cruz.

Officer Cruz contined to follow the suspect, and eventually both stopped at 600 Mercury.  At that time, the suspect again fired his pistol at Officer Cruz who, in fear for his life, returned fire.  The suspect then fled the scene in the pickup truck.

The shooter is described only as a Hispanic male in his late 20s, with an average build and an unspecified tattoo on his right shoulder.

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

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.



KJS/JFC  7-25-11
Inc. #095913311