Police: Fleeing suspects shot after running over off-duty deputy

by Kevin Peters / 11 News

Posted on January 20, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Updated yesterday at 3:08 PM

HOUSTON – A Harris County deputy was recovering Wednesday after he was struck by a suspect’s fleeing vehicle, investigators said.

It happened in the 9900 block of S. Dairy Ashford around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

According to investigators, the deputy was working an off-duty security job at the Cambridge Crossing Apartments with another deputy when they spotted a suspicious car in the parking lot.

There were three people in the car – a man and two women -- and the deputies said they smelled marijuana in the area.

But when they approached the vehicle, the situation took a dangerous turn.

One of the deputies walked to the driver’s side window, identified himself and asked the driver, later identified as Don Jamar Boston, to roll down his window.

"The driver of the vehicle suddenly started the vehicle toward the deputy," said Victor Senties, a Houston Police Department spokesperson. "And he actually ran him over."

The car ran over the deputy’s foot and knocked him to the ground. Police said Boston then turned the car toward the deputy and tried to hit him again.

"Believing the vehicle and the driver to be a threat to himself and his fellow deputy, the partner of the fallen deputy draws his weapon. He fires several shots. The deputy on the ground also draws his weapon. He fires several shots," Senties said.

The deputy who was struck by the car suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The other deputy was uninjured

. Police said Boston fled the scene and drove to the 12200 block of Ormandy, where he called 911 for an ambulance.

All three occupants of the car were shot, and police said Boston was hit twice.

They were taken to Ben Taub, where the women were treated and released.

Boston, who was listed in stable condition, has been charged with aggravated assault of a public servant.

As is customary with officer-involved shootings, the incident is being investigated by HPD Homicide and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.