POLICE Department

Suspects Arrested, Charged in Shooting Incident at 6011 Van Zandt

January 20, 2016 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the shooting of a Houston police officer at 6011 Van Zandt about 12 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 19).

The first suspect, Shelton Hearld (b/m, 27), is charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer and felon in possession of a weapon in the 184th State District Court.  A photo of Hearld is not available at this time, pending further investigation.
The second suspect, a juvenile male, 15, has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of misdemeanor evading on foot.  

The officer, J. Rhodes, was treated for a gunshot wound to his left arm and released from Memorial Hermann Hospital hours later.  Officer Rhodes, assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in November 2010.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M.L. Holbrook and Senior Police Officer P. Vela reported:

Officer Rhodes was on patrol when he observed two suspicious males wearing hoodies covering their heads exit a vehicle backed up next to a Family Dollar store.  The two then began walking towards the store entrance.  When Officer Rhodes turned his patrol vehicle around to investigate, the two suspects fled on foot.  Officer Rhodes pursued them on foot to an empty lot where suspect Hearld then fired several shots, striking Officer Rhodes in the arm.  Officer Rhodes returned fire, but did not strike either suspect.  Both suspects were arrested later at two separate locations.  The vehicle the suspects used in this incident was reported stolen out of Humble, Texas.  

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents within 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.

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