June 17, 2024 - Charges have been filed against an armed suspect shot by Houston police officers at 8600 Comal Street about 6:10 p.m. on Saturday (June 15).

The suspect, Tyrone Whitfield Barnes, 40, is charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon with a felony conviction in the 179th State District Court. A 2023 booking photo of Barnes, who remains hospitalized in stable condition, is attached to this news release.

Officers J. Cruz and M. Anderson, assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division, discharged duty weapons in the incident. Officer Cruz was sworn in as an officer in October 2022 and Officer Anderson in October 2023.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant E. Wohlgemuth and Detectives H. Le and C. Walker reported:

Officers responded to a Shot Spotter call in the 8600 block of Comal Street and a witness directed them to a male in the parking lot of Sunnyside Park across the street.

The officers observed the male (suspect) with a gun in his hands. They exited their patrol vehicle and gave the male multiple verbal commands to put his gun down, but he did not comply. The suspect raised his weapon and pointed it in the direction of the officers. At that time, both officers discharged their duty weapons. The suspect was still standing and still holding the handgun. The officers continued to give the suspect verbal commands, but the suspect still did not comply. At least one of the officers discharged a duty weapon again at the suspect, who eventually complied and lied on the ground. The officers were able to detain the suspect and recover his handgun.

The suspect sustained one gunshot wound to his right leg, however, it was undetermined whether the wound was from the officers’ gunfire or if it was self-inflicted. Officers provided medical attention to the suspect until paramedics arrived and transported him to a hospital in stable condition.

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