June 4, 2015 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect at 12700 South Green about 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday (June 3).

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

Two HPD officers who discharged their weapons were not injured. Senior Police Officer P. Steffenauer, assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in October 1991. The other officer, Senior Police Officer B. Kohlhafer, assigned to the Clear Lake Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in June 1990.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant S. Murdock and Senior Police Officer B. Evans reported:

An officer on routine patrol was driving by an apartment complex (950 FM 1959) known to have recent issues with car burglaries, with the only suspect description being a Hispanic male driving a Ford Expedition. The officer spotted a Ford Expedition driven by a Hispanic male leaving the apartment complex and noticed the suspect look in his direction a few times and then drive off. A vehicle pursuit ensued and ended when the suspect’s vehicle struck a curb and became disabled on South Green.

Officers spent a lengthy period of time issuing verbal commands in English and Spanish to the suspect, trying to deescalate the situation and take him into custody. The suspect was seen getting into and out of the truck several times and was uncooperative. A K9 unit arrived and the police dog made contact with the suspect’s leg outside the vehicle as the suspect’s upper body remained in the driver’s seat. As the K9 officer confronted the suspect, two officers saw the suspect pull a large knife from behind his back and raise it up to his side. Fearing for the K9 officer's life, the two officers discharged their duty weapons. Paramedics pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene.

Numerous stolen items were located in the suspect's vehicle. Just prior to this incident, citizens reported two car burglaries in the area of the apartment complex.

As is customary when an HPD officer discharges a weapon causing an injury or death, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

JFC/JKS 6-4-15
Inc #071376915