Man shot, 2 officers hurt in Baytown melee
Unruly crowd at party became violent, police say
By CINDY GEORGE and PAIGE HEWITT
Copyright 2010 Houston ChronicleMarch 28, 2010, 7:33AM
Baytown police shot a 19-year-old man and arrested his mother after a mob of dozens of birthday party guests got out of control Friday night and an officer was punched in the face, kicked and threatened, authorities said.
“Our officers were responding to a disturbance call, and it turned very violent,” said Baytown Police Lt. Eric Freed. “It just exploded.”
Two officers were treated for minor injuries and released after the ordeal around 11:30 p.m. Officials did not release the names of those officers.The man shot was in stable condition late Saturday afternoon, Freed said. Police have not released his identity.
Natasha Sherae Webb, 36, is charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, accused of punching the officer in the face with a closed fist more than once, Freed said.Officials said her son, the 19-year-old who was shot, faces at least the same charges.
Also charged was Frederick Neil Washington, whose 33rd birthday was being celebrated that night at his home in the 1300 block of Coyote Lane, a middle class neighborhood that is typically quiet, Freed said.Washington was charged with disorderly conduct but was cooperative when police arrested him, Freed said.
Police were summoned to the party around 8 p.m. by a neighbor complaining about noise. Freed said officers warned guests they would issue citations if they had to return to the party.
Police were called a second time, around 11:30 p.m., about a large group of people arguing in the street.As one of the officers attempted to make an arrest, the other officer was struck in the face and head before he fell to the ground. People kicked him, took his radio and grabbed at his weapons, Freed said.
“The officer, fearing for his life, drew his duty weapon and fired twice at a suspect that was standing directly over him delivering blows,” a Baytown police news release said.
The injured man was shot in the abdomen and airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Some 20 to 30 officers and detectives worked the case that night. “This is a good example of how quickly things can turn violent,” Freed said.