March 01, 2012 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which a Houston police officer fatally shot an armed suspect at 4911 Dumfries about 3:50 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 28). 

The identity of the deceased male suspect is pending verification by the Harris County Insititute of Forensic Sciences. 

Officer D. A. Rivera, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in the incident.  Officer Rivera is assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in September 2010. 

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Holbrook and Senior Police Officers T. Tyler and S. Straughter reported: 

A female was unloading her vehicle and left the tailgate open.  The female then saw an unknown male suspect grab a bag from the vehicle and flee the scene on a bicycle.  An off-duty HPD officer, working an approved extra job in the neighborhood, was flagged down by witnesses and told of the incident.  The officer then pursued the suspect who dropped his bicycle at the intersection of South Post Oak and West Bellfort and continued to flee on foot.  The officer then broadcast a description of the suspect over the police radio.  Other HPD officers responded and searched the area for the suspect. 

A witness walking his dog a few blocks away saw the suspect, with scissors in his hand, walk between two houses.  The witness then flagged down Officer Rivera, who was on-duty and searching the area, and pointed out where the suspect was last seen.  Officer Rivera drove in the direction the witness indicated and found the suspect crouched beside a residence in the 4900 block of Dumfries.  Officer Rivera approached the suspect, who was digging in his backpack, and gave repeated verbal commands to the suspect to show his hands.  The suspect ignored the commands and quickly stood up.  The suspect threw his jacket at Officer Rivera and then charged at him with a pair of scissors.  Fearing for his life, Officer Rivera discharged his duty weapon and fatally struck the suspect. 

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, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



VHS/JFC  3-1-13
Inc. #025253413