July 15, 2021 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a male suspect by HPD officers at 6900 Monroe Road about 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday (July 14).

The identity of the male, 32, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Two officers discharged their duty weapons.  Officers N. Garcia and M. Salazar are assigned to the Gang Division.  Officer Garcia was sworn in as an officer in August 2016 and Officer Salazar in April 2016.  Neither officer was injured. 

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant P. Buttitta and Investigators J. Moreno, B. Bertrand and C. Walker reported: 

Officers with the HPD Gang Division- Crime Reduction Unit were advised by members of the HPD Vice Division they needed a vehicle stopped in regards to an investigation they were conducting.  When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, the suspect driver fled.  The suspect's vehicle struck a concrete pole while he attempted to make a U-turn under the Gulf Freeway (Interstate 45 South), causing his vehicle to become disabled.

Officers approached the vehicle and gave the suspect several verbal commands to show his hands, but the suspect refused to comply.  The suspect was seen ducking into the floor board of the vehicle and returning quickly when two officers discharged weapons and struck the suspect.  Paramedics transported the suspect to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



JFC/JKS  7-15-21
Inc #094907821