POLICE Department
UPDATE: Suspect in 2014 Murder Fatally Shot in South Carolina
January 26, 2016 - A suspect previously arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a woman at 12203 Thicket Green on October 6, 2014, was fatally shot in South Carolina on Monday (Jan. 25).
The suspect, Damon Jonard James (b/m, 41), was charged with murder in the 263rd State District Court in the death of Rita Joyce Salton, 43, of the above address.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeants M. Brady, J. Burton, T. Simmons and Officer C. Sharp reported:
Ms. Salton was leaving for work when she was shot multiple times. Further investigation identified James, who had a previous dating relationship with Salton, as a suspect in this case. James fled the scene in an unknown direction and, at that time, remained at large.
Further investigation developed information on James' whereabouts and he was arrested on October 7, 2014 by the Harris County Sheriff's Office. In January 2015, James was out on bond and, after missing a court appearance, went into hiding.
On Monday (Jan. 25), members of the U. S. Marshals' warrant service team located James in Columbia, South Carolina, and attempted to arrest him. James exchanged gunfire with the arrest team and was fatally shot.
Update: VHS/JFC 1-26-16
JKS/VHS 10-7-14
Inc. #126897714
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
