January 8, 2024 - Charges have been filed against a suspect shot by a Houston police officer at 8435 Tidwell Road about 7:40 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 7).

The suspect, Broderick Rax, 39, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of controlled substance in the 177th State District Court. A booking photo of Rax, who remains hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound, is not available at this time.

Officer G. Chappell, who discharged his duty weapon at the suspect, was sworn in as an officer in July 2019 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.  

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Detectives V. Praxedes, J. Kosler, T. Vaca and O. Flores reported:

HPD officers patrolling the area of 8400 Tidwell Road were in a marked police vehicle and observed a black Lincoln sedan parked on the side of a business that has visible “No Trespassing” signs. The vehicle remained at the location for a period of time and the officers began a trespassing investigation.

The uniformed officers approached the driver side of the Lincoln and observed a male, later identified as Rax, sitting in the front driver’s seat. Officers informed the male they were conducting a trespassing investigation and that there was a strong smell of marijuana coming from his vehicle.

Officers instructed the male to exit the vehicle and he refused to comply. The male continued to resist orders as officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle. During the struggle, officers observed a gun on the driver’s side floorboard, within reach of the male. Officers deployed their conducted energy devices (Tasers) in an attempt to detain the male, but the Tasers had no effect on him.

As the struggle continued, an officer observed the male reach for the gun.  At that time, one officer discharged his duty weapon at the suspect, striking him once. The suspect then ran out of the vehicle and into the business, where officers took him into custody.

Officers rendered first aid to the male and Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to an area hospital in stable condition.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office was on the scene and accepted two felony charges on the suspect.  

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.



SOA/JFC    1-8-24
Inc. #003339124