POLICE Department
Update: Suspect Arrested, Charged in Shooting Incident at 3600 Gano
June 13, 2016 - A suspect who fired shots at Houston police officers during a vehicle pursuit at 3600 Gano about 12:25 a.m. on May 27 has been arrested and charged in the incident.
The suspect, Jose Esquivel (H/m, 22), is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant in the 180th State District Court. A photo (provided by the Harris County Sheriff's Office) of Esquivel is attached to this news release.
Senior Police Officer J. Lopez and Officer A. Baker, who discharged their duty weapons, were not injured in the incident. Officers Lopez and Baker were sworn in as officers in July 1995 and November 2006, respectively, and are assigned to the Gang Division.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Chebert and Officer J. Dodson reported:
Officers Lopez and Baker, riding a two-man unit, observed a gold 4-door Cadillac commit a traffic violation in the 2600 block of Gano. Officers initiated a traffic stop and the suspect stopped his car on the side of the street. As officers made contact with the driver, he put his car in gear and sped away. Officers pursued the vehicle for several blocks and observed the suspect turn off his head lights and make several turns in an attempt to evade the officers. When they reached the 3000 block of Gano, the suspect then reached out from the driver’s side window and fired several shots at the pursuing officers with a handgun. Officers continued to pursue the suspect until they reached the 3100 block of Maury, at which time the suspect vehicle came to an abrupt stop. When officers then attempted to approach the vehicle, the suspect reversed his car and crashed into the front of the patrol car. While he was reversing and ramming the patrol car, the suspect turned his body and head in an apparent attempt to identify the officer’s location to possibly re-engage the officers. Fearing for their lives, Officers Lopez and Baker discharged their duty weapons more than one time. The suspect again sped off before abandoning his vehicle at the intersection of Maury and Bunton and fleeing on foot. After an extensive search, the suspect was not located. His gun was recovered at the scene.
Further investigation identified Jose Esquivel as the suspect in this case and he was charged on May 28. Acting on a Crime Stoppers tip, members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force arrested Esquivel in Channelview, Texas, last Friday (June 11) without incident.
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.
suspect Jose Esquivel
Update JFC/VHS 6-13-16
JKS/JFC 5-27-16
Inc. #067632516
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
