March 27, 2012 - Charges have been filed against a suspect who pointed a weapon at a Metropolitan Transit Authority police officer and was wounded by the officer at 855 Greens Road about 5:40 p.m. on Monday (March 26).

The suspect, Darrel Franklin Clay, Jr. (b/m, DOB: 2-14-92), is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant in the 208th State District Court.  He was wounded one time and remains in stable condition at Ben Taub General Hospital.  A mug shot of Clay is not available at this time.

The Metro police officer, P.M. Martinez, was not injured.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Torres and Senior Police Officer S. Anderson reported:

A Metro police officer was in uniform and working an extra job at the apartment complex at the above location when he confronted the suspect after detecting a strong odor of marijuana near the suspect.  As the officer approached the suspect, the suspect fled on foot.  The officer pursued and gave verbal commands for the suspect to stop.  The suspect ignored the commands, continued to run and then pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officer.  Fearing for his safety, the officer discharged his weapon and struck the suspect in the lower back.  The suspect was then transported to the hospital.

As is customary when any law enforcement officer discharges a weapon and causes injury in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



JFC/VHS   3-27-12
Inc #038037212