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Officer Kills Burglary Suspect

HPD: Suspect Tried To Stab Officer With Screwdriver

POSTED: Monday, July 27, 2009

UPDATED: 12:34 pm CDT July 27, 2009

HOUSTON -- A Houston police officer fatally shot a man who tried to stab him, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Officers responded to a burglary in progress call in the 7100 block of Renwick Drive at about 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Investigators said a resident arrived at his home, heard his television set was on, noticed his front window was broken and saw movement inside his apartment.

A man came out through the window when officers arrived, police said. Officers ordered the man to get on the ground in English and Spanish, but he ignored the command, investigators said.

Officers sent a K-9 dog into the enclosed patio to aid with the man's arrest. Officer W.G. Smith entered the patio area and the man pulled out a screwdriver and tried to stab him, detectives said.

Smith shot the man in the chest. The man died at the scene. His name was not released.

Police said Smith was not hurt.

Smith is assigned to the Tactical Operations Division and has been with HPD since June 1998.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office and HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions are investigating the incident.