December 26, 2012 - Charges have been filed against a suspect who fatally shot an on-duty Bellaire police officer and a male citizen at 5625 Bellaire Boulevard about 8:55 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 24).

The suspect, Harlem Harold Lewis (b/m, DOB: 7-5-91), is charged with capital murder of a police officer and murder in the 351st State District Court. He sustained at least one gunshot wound and remains at Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. Lewis is accused in the killings of Bellaire Police Corporal J.D. Norman, 53, and Terry Taylor, 66, of Houston.

A photo of suspect Lewis is attached to this news release.


HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Jewell and Senior Police Officer J. Sosa reported:

Corporal Norman was working uniform patrol and was involved in a vehicle pursuit, attempting to stop a vehicle driven by suspect Lewis. The pursuit ended in the parking lot of the Maaco Auto business at the above address when the suspect crashed his car into a trash dumpster. Cpl. Norman exited his marked patrol car and attempted to take the suspect into custody. The suspect pulled a gun and a struggle ensued. Mr. Taylor, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and owner of the Maaco paint and body shop, came outside his business and attempted to assist Cpl. Norman. At that time, suspect Lewis shot Cpl. Norman, he then exited his vehicle and shot Mr. Taylor. A responding Bellaire patrol car, with Bellaire Lieutenant W. Bledsoe and Detective D. Clawson inside, arrived on the scene. Suspect Lewis opened fire on the responding officers and the two officers returned fire. The suspect then fled on foot and was located and arrested at a nearby business complex. Paramedics transported Cpl. Norman to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Suspect Lewis was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Mr. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene.

JFC/VHS 12-26-12
Inc #161305212