HPD officer shoots man in stolen car

Suspect allegedly grabbed for a weapon

By MIKE GLENN HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Tue 09/29/2009

Houston Chronicle, Section B, Page 2, 3 STAR R.O. Edition

A Houston police officer shot a man in a stolen car Monday when the man grabbed for a weapon at a southwest-side apartment complex, officials said.

The officer, who was not injured, was checking an apartment complex in the 9800 block of Club Creek about 4:45 p.m. when he spotted a Buick LeSabre that matched the description of a car reported stolen earlier in the day, Houston police said.

The man got out of the car as the officer approached, police said.

"He gave the suspect multiple commands to show his hands and get on the ground," said Jodi Silva, a Houston police spokeswoman.

The man then grabbed for a pistol stuck in the waistband of his pants, police said.

"The officer discharged his weapon several times and struck the suspect in both the abdomen and the hand," Silva said.

The man was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was in surgery later Monday evening, officials said.

Investigators recovered a pistol.

HPD officials said the man has relatives who live at the complex.

The officer, a 13-year HPD veteran assigned to the West Side Patrol Division, will be on administrative duties for three days as the investigation continues, officials said.

mike.glenn@chron.com

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