December 3, 2013 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an HPD officer discharged his duty weapon at a suspect at 7001 Hillcroft about 4:25 p.m on Sunday (Dec. 1).

The male suspect, 24, who was uninjured, was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital for a psychological evaluation.

Officer J. Herrera, assisgned to the South Gessner Patrol Division, was not injured in this incident.
He was sworn in as an officer in July 2009.

HPD Homicide Division Officers I. Ulloa and T. Ferguson reported:

Officers responded to a disturbance call involving an armed suspect at the above address. When Officer Herrera and his partner arrived, they took positions behind the suspect's apartment. They then learned the victim and suspect were both still inside the apartment and the suspect was armed with a baseball bat. As Officer Herrera's partner approached the back window of the suspect's apartment to assess the situation, the blinds of the window and glass exploded outward toward the officer. Seeing the way the window suddenly exploded outward and his partner falling to the ground, Officer Herrera believed someone inside the apartment was firing a gun at them. At that time, fearing for his partner's life, Officer Herrera discharged his duty weapon at the window. The suspect was not struck and was taken into custody a short time later.

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

JKS/JFC 12-3-13
Inc. #149898913