March 04, 2012 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an armed suspect was shot by on-duty Houston police officers in the 5800 block of West Airport Boulevard about 3:25 p.m. on Sunday (March 3). 

The suspect, Keith Earl Turner (b/m, DOB: 8-25-67), is charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer in the 183rd State District Court.  He was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in an unknown condition.  A current photo of Turner, who is also a person of interest wanted for questioning in a double murder at 7127 Bahia Lane on Saturday (March 3), is not available at this time. 

Officers S. Howze and B. Russell, Jr., who discharged their duty weapons, were not injured in the incident.  Officer Howze was sworn in as an officer in June 2009 and Probationary Officer Russell in January 2013.  Both are assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division. 

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Holbrook and Senior Police Officer C. Scales reported: 

HPD patrol officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call in a parking lot near the intersection of Hillcroft and West Airport.  Officers arrived and saw Turner inside a black Dodge Dakota pickup truck making suspicious movements.  Turner then exited the vehicle.  Officers gave Turner repeated verbal commands to show his hands.  Turner then raised his hands and made gestures as if challenging officers.  He then put on a sweater, pulled a handgun from his waistband and began firing shots at officers.  Fearing for their lives, Officers Howze and Russell returned fire.  Turner was struck and then transported to the hospital. 

During the gunfire exchange, other HPD officers at the scene realized a female and her two children, 8 and 14, were inside a red Chevrolet Suburban in the line of fire.  Officers managed to approach the vehicle as the suspect's rounds struck the vehicle and got the family to safety without injury. 

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  3-4-13
Inc. #026584013