October 24, 2024 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by an HPD officer at 13102 Luthe Road about 6:30 am. on Wednesday (October 23).

The identity of the suspect, 26, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Officer S. Tharp, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in the incident. Officer Tharp is assigned to the Major Offenders Division and was sworn in as an officer in January 2010.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Detectives D. Hammons and M. Childs reported:

The U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force executed a felony warrant for aggravated assault of a family member on a wanted male suspect at a residence at the above address. Officers arrived and immediately established a perimeter and an entry team approached the front of the residence. The suspect was given verbal commands in English and in Spanish to exit the residence.

The suspect discharged his weapon once and then exited the residence armed with a long gun. Fearing for the safety of fellow officers, one HPD officer (assigned to the task force) discharged his duty weapon and the suspect was struck. Harris County Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the suspect deceased. No officers were injured.

As this incident happened in the Harris County limits, the Harris County Sheriff's Office is the lead investigative agency.

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