July 23, 2012 -Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in an incident in which a Houston police officer discharged his duty weapon at a suspect following a vehicle pursuit that ended at 1000 McGowen about 10:20 a.m. on Sunday (July 22).

The suspect, Joseph Alden (w/m, DOB: 4-5-75), is charged with evading arrest in the 338th State District Court and driving while intoxicated in Harris County Criminal Court #15.  A photo of suspect Alden is attached to this news release.

HPD Officer N. D. Alvarado, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Officer Alvarado, sworn in as an officer in June 2008, is assigned to the Central Patrol Division.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant W. Bush and Officer C. Sturdivant reported:

Officers on patrol in a marked police vehicle saw Alden, driving a gray Nissan Altima run a stop sign at the intersection of Gillette and Cleveland.  When officers attempted to make a traffic stop, Alden ignored the marked patrol vehicle and fled from officers.  A pursuit was initiated, during which Alden committed numerous traffic violations, including driving across fields, on sidewalks and almost striking a METRO bus, a METRO train, and HFD fire truck.

Alden then drove to the 1000 block of McGowen, where he struck a utility pole.  Pursuing officers then gave Alden verbal commands to exit the vehicle.  Alden exited the vehicle, knelt down and began to search the vehicle, as if looking for something.  Officers again gave repeated verbal commands to Alden to show his hands, which he ignored.  Alden then made a sudden movement toward officers as if he had something in his hands.  Fearing for his safety and that of his fellow officers, Officer Alvarado discharged his duty weapon and struck the vehicle but not Alden.  Alden then complied with verbal commands and was taken into custody without further incident.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.