POLICE Department
Suspect Arrested, Charged in Incident at 10011 Hanka
September 25, 2015 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested after he stabbed a man and drove a Houston police patrol vehicle toward an officer at 10011 Hanka about 2:40 a.m. on Thursday (Sept. 24).
The suspect, William L. Rhodes (w/m, 37), is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the 338th State District Court. A photo of Rhodes is attached to this news release.
An HPD officer who discharged his weapon, Officer D. Higgs, was not injured. Officer Higgs, assigned to the Northwest Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in December 2014.
HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer J. Villareal and Officer R. Lujan reported:
Officers in a two-man unit responded to a stabbing call to a nightclub at 1453 Witte and observed a male victim stabbed multiple times in the parking lot. Witnesses gave a suspect description and advised he ran into a nearby apartment complex at 10011 Hanka. The two officers, while in their patrol vehicle, spotted the suspect (Rhodes) near an apartment patio. One officer got out and gave commands for Rhodes to stop, but Rhodes refused and ran into the complex with the officer running after him. The second officer, D. Higgs, got out of the patrol vehicle and ran to assist his partner. The foot pursuit continued to the back parking lot where Rhodes got into the patrol vehicle and revved the engine. The first officer saw Rhodes with blood on his hands in the vehicle and tried to confront him, but Rhodes put the vehicle in drive to flee. Rhodes tried to run over Officer Higgs, who feared for his life and discharged his duty weapon more than once. Rhodes was not hit and fled the complex in the stolen patrol vehicle. He was taken into custody a short time later when he crashed the patrol vehicle into a light pole. He was taken to Memorial Herman Northwest Hospital for lacerations to his hand. The stabbing victim was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital in stable condition.
As is customary when an officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.
William L. Rhodes
JFC/JKS 9-25-15
Inc #123663615
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
