HPD officer kills drug suspect

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sun 01/17/2010

Houston Chronicle, Section B, Page 4, 3 STAR R.O. Edition

A man who opened fire on police in northeast Houston was killed by an officer overnight.

The gunfire exchange happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday as Houston Police Department narcotics officers were executing a search warrant in the 6700 block of Letcher.

"Officers approached the building. They announced themselves as police officers and entered," HPD spokeswoman Jodi Silva said. "At that point, the suspect pointed a shotgun at the officers."

Officer R. Massey, fearing for his life, immediately discharged his weapon, Silva said.

The man returned gunfire. During the exchange, he was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. None of the officers were injured.

The identity of the dead man, who lived at the address and was alone, is pending confirmation by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.

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