August 8, 2024 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by an HPD officer at 5716 North Freeway (North Interstate Highway 45) service road about 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday (August 7).  

The identity of the male suspect, 42, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.  

HPD Officer J. McGowan, who discharged her duty weapon, was not injured in the incident.  Officer McGowan is assigned to the North Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in July 2013.  

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Glover and Detective H. Le reported:  

HPD patrol officers responded to a trespassing call at a gas station at the above address and detained two males.  One male was given a warning and told to leave the property.  The second male (suspect) was found to have active warrants and, as officers conducted a search on him, they found a pistol concealed in his waistband.  

Officers attempted to place the suspect under arrest, but he pushed away from them and attempted to move his hands toward the pistol.  Officers gave the suspect verbal commands not to do so and, as the struggled continued, one officer discharged a weapon and struck the suspect one time.  Officers detained the suspect, removed the pistol from his waistband and provided medical assistance until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived.  The suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  No officers were injured.  

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