POLICE Department
Follow-Up to Investigation into Active Shooter Incident at 4000 Law Street
October 19, 2016 - Houston police continue to investigate an active shooter incident in which HPD, Bellaire Police and West University Place Police officers discharged their duty weapons at a suspect who shot or caused injuries to nine people at 4000 Law Street about 6:30 a.m. on September 26.
The suspect, Nathan Desai (w/m, 46), suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
None of the officers who discharged weapons was injured in this incident.
The HPD officers who discharged their weapons are:
- Sergeant G. Batcheler, sworn in in February 1986 and assigned to the Central Patrol Division
- Senior Police Officer B. Schmidt, sworn in in September 1993 and assigned to the Tactical Operations Division
- Officer F. Kraidieh, sworn in in January 2009 and assigned to the Central Patrol Division
- Officer R. Flakes, sworn in in February 2008 and assigned to the Central Patrol Division
- Officer M. Muskiet, sworn in in January 2008 and assigned to the Central Patrol Division
The Bellaire Police Department officers who discharged their weapons are:
- Lieutenant J. Cotton, start date August 1998 and assigned to the Patrol Division
- Lieutenant R. Brown, start date February 1994 and assigned to Information Management/Dispatch
- Officer A. Proctor, start date September 2014 and assigned to the Patrol Division
The West University Place Police Department officer who discharged his weapon is:
- Sergeant A. Gomez, start date December 1998 and assigned to the Patrol Division
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Brady reported:
Police were called to the scene following reports that the suspect, Desai, who was armed with a pistol, was standing on the sidewalk at the above address shooting at cars driving in the area. Nine citizens were shot or suffered various injuries, none fatally.
Officers from the Houston Police Department, Bellaire Police Department and the West University Place Police Department responded and almost immediately were fired upon by Desai. The suspect used a tree as cover and took advantage of the dark lighting to continue exchanging gunfire with officers for almost 30 minutes. The officers, taking tactical positions and engaging the suspect, were able to prevent him from leaving his position and doing more harm or from retrieving a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his vehicle parked nearby.
At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a replica World War II German SS general’s uniform. A search of his apartment resulted in the recovery of additional weapons, ammunition and body armor.
The suspect has no known history of mental health issues and no known criminal history. He did have a current Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LCH).
As is customary when an officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, causing an injury, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
KJS/MMB/JFC 10-19-16
Inc. #123203516
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
