October 3, 2022 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which a law enforcement officer discharged a weapon at 8400 Kirby Drive about 6:50 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 1).

The officer, employed by the Tiki Island Police Department, was not injured.

It is unknown if the male suspect the officer shot at was struck. The wanted male was driving a red Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. It has damage to the front driver's side. Witnesses believe there was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Detectives D. Escobar and N. Alvarado reported:

Officers from multiple agencies working off-duty assignments at NRG Park at the above address were directing traffic after a college football game had concluded. A red Dodge Challenger entered the parking lot near gate 12, bypassed an occupied gate booth and parked nearby. A male exited the car, returned to the vehicle and began to do circles (donuts) in the parking lot that was still filled with patrons. The driver lost control and struck a parked car, causing damage to the front driver’s side of the Dodge (suspect vehicle). The suspect then sped toward the exit, nearly striking a Harris County Precinct One Constable deputy. The vehicle then exited the parking lot heading southbound onto Kirby Drive, as a Houston Police K-9 unit, also working the event, was traveling northbound.

Noticing the vehicle driving recklessly and at high rate of speed, the K-9 unit turned to follow and activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The Dodge's driver continued traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Kirby Drive until he became stuck behind traffic. The suspect vehicle then crossed over the median and began driving southbound in the northbound lanes toward oncoming traffic. The vehicle then drove back into the southbound lanes. About two blocks up the roadway, a Tiki Island police officer working traffic at the intersection of Kirby Drive and Westridge Road, saw the Dodge heading in his direction toward the traffic jam. The officer was standing in the northbound lanes when the suspect vehicle suddenly crossed over the median driving southbound in the northbound lanes toward the officer at a high rate of speed. The officer, in fear for his life, fired shots toward the oncoming vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued southbound on Kirby Drive toward the Interstate 610 South Loop and then drove westbound on the 610 Loop service road. The K-9 officer was unable to catch up to the Dodge due to the suspect’s high rate of speed and the traffic conditions.

As is customary when a law enforcement officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or on the wanted vehicle is urged to contact the HPD Special Investigations Unit at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.