April 26, 2022 - Houston police are investigating the shooting of an armed male suspect at 7506 Martin Luther King Boulevard about 10:45 a.m. on Monday (April 25).

The suspect is identified as Dexter Ceaser, 20. He was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition. A booking photo of Ceaser is not available for release at this time.

An HPD officer, J. Vargas, who discharged a weapon in the incident, was not injured. He is assigned to the Tactical Operations Division and was sworn in as an officer in September 2011.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant R. Flores and Officers D. Escobar, C Walker and J. Kosler reported:

HPD SWAT and Crime Suppression Team officers attempted to arrest the suspect for several felony warrants. At about 10 a.m., officers observed the suspect’s vehicle pull into the gas station at the above address. The female driver exited the vehicle and began walking into the store, while the suspect remained in the front passenger seat. SWAT vehicles converged toward the suspect’s vehicle, and a marked patrol vehicle pulled up and activated its lights and siren.

The suspect moved over to the front driver's side and placed the vehicle in reverse, striking a SWAT vehicle. The suspect then accelerated forward in the direction of a female sitting in front of the store. At that time, a SWAT officer discharged his weapon, striking the suspect. The vehicle came to a stop and the suspect remained inside the vehicle.

Knowing the suspect was armed, SWAT officers deployed a chemical agent into the vehicle in an attempt to get the suspect to come out safely. A single gunshot was heard from inside the vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle, removed the suspect and began medical treatment. Paramedics then transported the male to the hospital.

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