2010
This year there have been 9 officer-involved shooting incidents, resulting in one civilian being killed and 12 injured. Statistics for each agency are as follows:
HPD killed 1, wounded 1
HCSO wounded 11
13. (media reports)
10. 11.12.. (media reports)
9. (media reports)
7. 8. 1/17/10 - Larry Polk, b/m, and Devante Jackson, b/m, wounded when shot by off-duty Harris County Sheriff's deputy B. Chanthavisouk, who was working security at an apartment complex with his partner. As they ran toward the sound of gunshots, they saw Polk and Jackson running away. Chanthavisouk shot at them when they refused to stop, wounding one of them in the leg. Deputies claim Polk and Jackson were armed and suspected them of a nearby home robbery. It is not reported where Jackson was wounded. (media reports)
6. "They didn't want to hear it," and was handcuffed and put in a patrol car. When they entered the home, officers claim Khalaf ran down the stairs at them with a gun in his hand, and Garcia shot him. Khalaf was Life-Flighted to the hospital; he is expected to survive. (media reports)
5.†Narcotics officers had entered Guidry's home with a search warrant; they were confronted by Guidry holding a shotgun. In the exchange of gunfire, Guidry was killed. Guidry is the first person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer.(media reports)
4. (media reports)
2. 3. (media reports)
1.
2009
There were 64 officer-involved shootings this year - 27 were killed and 37 were wounded. Statistics for each agency are as follows:
HPD killed 15, wounded 17
HCSO killed 3, wounded 3
Pasadena PD killed 2, wounded 5
Pct. 3 wounded 1
Pct. 4 killed 1
Pct. 5 wounded 1
Pct. 6 killed 1, wounded 2
Pct. 7 wounded 1
Hedwig Village PD killed 1
Humble PD killed 1, wounded 1
Metro PD killed 1, wounded 2
Webster PD killed 1, wounded 1
South Houston PD wounded 1
TABC wounded 2
U.S. Customs killed 1
64.†12/26/09 - Jason Turner, 27, killed when shot by Precinct 4 deputy constable Andres Rosas, who had responded to a domestic disturbance call. After a brief car chase, Turner returned to the home of his ex-girlfriend and shot several times through the door. Police say he then turned and pointed the gun at Rosas, saying that he would kill him unless Rosas shot him first. Rosas ordered him to drop the gun and get on the ground; just then a woman ran from the house. Turner allegedly pointed his gun at the woman, then at Rosas, who then shot him several times. Turner is the 27th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
63. 12/25/09 - Oscar Hernandez, h/m, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer M. Martin.
62.†12/21/09 - Victor Pineda, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officers R. Simpson and R. Watson. A homeowner had called police to report his home was being burglarized. As police arrived, the three burglars tried to escape through a back window. An officer confronted them and said Pineda pointed a gun at him; the officer shot at him, but missed. As Pineda ran around the side of the house, he met the second officer, who claims Pineda pointed his gun at him. As both officers fired, Pineda was struck once in the chest. Pineda is the 26th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
61. 12/7/09 - Nicholas John Schaefer, w/m, 44 and mentally ill, wounded when shot in the arm by 8-mo. rookie Houston PD officer K. Waymire, after he and two other officers responded to a caller who allegedly reported a "suspicious male" with a weapon. Claiming Schaefer pointed the "weapon" at the officers, who had taken cover, Waymire shot him. There was no weapon; Schaefer had a hairbrush. Police say Schaefer made the 911 call, who had threatened suicide before making the call. (media reports)
60. 11/23/09 - Jeffrey Wayne Gullo, wounded when shot by Metro PD officer Dalton Hughes Jr.
59.†11/22/09 - William Neal Terral Jr.
w/m, 53 and mentally ill, killed during shootout with Pasadena PD officers Joshua L. Ridings, 25 (a rookie of a few months), and D.R. Shechter. Terral, a fugitive wanted for sexual assault of children, was reported to be at Dunkin' Donuts. When officers arrived, Ridings approached Terral, who pulled a gun, and shots were exchanged. Terral was not hit, but Ridings was struck in the arm and shoulder. Shechter then retrieved a rifle from his patrol car and shot Terral through the window. It is reported that a surveillance camera shows that Terral shot himself in the head immediately prior to Schechter shooting him. Terral's father believes police should have approached him differently because he warned them that he was suicidal and his son said if he was confronted by police, one of them would die. Terral is the 25th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
58.†11/14/09 - Jose Ruben Andino, killed when shot by Houston PD officer James Crawford, an 11-yr vet. Officers received information that a home invasion was planned, and began conducting surveillance there. They saw a "suspicious" vehicle in the area. When they tried to stop the car, a short chase followed, then the driver got out holding a gun, according to police. He allegedly pointed the gun at Crawford, who shot Andino, hitting him at least once. Andino is the 24th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
57. 11/8/09 - John Eric Owens, b/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer C.F. Rohling, a 5-yr vet assigned to North Patrol Div. Rohling responded to a burglar alarm and got a description of the burglar from a witness. When he later saw Owens, who allegedly fit the description, he ordered him to show his hands. Rohling claims he instead put his hands in his sweater pockets and began backing away. Rohling pulled his gun and claims Owens then drew a gun and pointed it at him. Rohling grabbed for the gun, they struggled, and Rohling shot him "at least one time," and dropped his gun. He claims Owens then took both guns and ran, but dropped the guns as he fled. (media reports)
56.†11/7/09 - Thomas Rangel, 26, killed when shot by Houston PD officer J.F. Lucero. a 7-yr vet assigned to the Gang Div. Rangel and 2 other men were walking through a convenience store's parking lot, where they had apparently purchased some beer. One of the men was holding an open can of beer (Class C misdemeanor), and the officers began searching them for weapons. As Lucero searched Rangel, he claims Rangel struggled with him and pulled a pistol from his waistband. Lucero shot him several times. Rangel is the 23rd person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
55. 10/25/09 - Joshua Gwyn, 18, wounded when shot by Pct. 3 deputy constables Adam Garcia and Milton Rivera. Officers tried to stop Gwyn for speeding, and a 15-min. chase ensued. Gwyn finally stopped, but officers claim he tried to run over them when they approached his car. Both officers fired several times; Gwyn was hit in the left shoulder. (media reports)
54.†10/14/09 - Robert Brock II, w/m, killed when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy M.C. Ivy. Officers responded to a caller who said Brock was threatening his wife with a gun at a Taco Bell. When they arrived, Brock left in his pickup and drove a short distance to his home. Officers followed, and surrounded his truck when Brock pulled into his driveway. Claiming he made a suspicious move, Ivy shot Brock through the window of his truck, killing him. Brock is the 22nd person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
53. 10/12/09 - Taylor O. Williams, 21, wounded when shot by off-duty Pct. 7 deputy constable T.M. Roe and San Jacinto Sheriff's deputy P.E. Sowell. Williams was at a strip club and began dancing on stage with the dancers. He was removed from the club. As the officers (who were working as security guards at the club) approached him in the parking lot, they claim he pulled a gun from the trunk of his car, and fired toward them. Both officers then shot at him, striking Williams in the side and buttock. (media reports)
52.†10/9/09 - Jose Oseguera, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officer M.J. Marin, a 2-yr veteran. When officers responded to an assault call, they saw Oseguera stabbing his girlfriend on an apartment balcony. As they climbed the stairs to the balcony, a neighbor tried to intervene in the stabbing, but was himself stabbed. Marin fired twice at Oseguera, who then turned toward the officers. Marin fired again, hitting Oseguera in the head, killing him. The neighbor also died at the scene. Oseguera is the 21st person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
51. 9/28/09 - Pedro Acuna, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer G.E. Polk (13-yr vet, Westside Patrol). When Polk saw a car that looked like one reported stolen, he ordered the driver to show his hands. Instead, he claims Acuna reached for a gun in his waistband. Polk shot him several times, hitting Acuna in abdomen and hand. (media reports)
50. 9/27/09 - Juan Martinez, h/m, 18, wounded when shot by South Houston PD officer M.J. Garcia. Police say Martinez was driving a stolen car, and refused to stop, instead leading leading them on a chase through the small city. He crashed, then allegedly tried to run over Garcia, who shot him in the left shoulder. (media reports)
49. 9/19/09 - Nicolas Bustos, h/m, 18, wounded when shot by Precinct 6 reserve deputy constable D. Villareal, working off-duty as a security guard. Villareal saw Bustos and three other males inside his car, apparently stealing items from it, and shouted for them to stop. Bustos ran and allegedly reached under his shirt. Villareal claimed he feared for his life, and shot him. Bustos was not armed. (media reports)
48.†9/19/09 - Gary Rick Varner, w/m, 49, killed when shot by Houston PD officer Richard L. Kent (7-yr vet, Tactical Operations Div.) Neighbors complained that Varner had threatened them. When officers arrived, Varner barricaded himself in his home. SWAT officers were called and, after 2 hours, Varner allegedly pointed a gun at them; he was shot once and killed by Kent. Varner is the 20th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
See also, 1/11/09 - Kent kills Stephen Paul Greene; and 7/31/07 - Kent kills Reginald Lee Sumbler47. 9/17/09 - Jose Angel Reyes, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer M.S. Baccus (15-yr vet, narcotics div.) Officers were serving a search and arrest warrant, and had forcefully entered Reyes' apartment. As Baccus was walking down the hallway, Reyes allegedly tried to grab his gun. Claiming he feared for his life, Baccus shot Reyes in the abdomen. (media reports)
45. & 46. 9/11/09 - Santos Soto Diaz, h/m, 23, and unidentified man, wounded when shot by off-duty TABC officer Michael R. Sehon. 40, who was escorting a jewelry salesman. They stopped briefly at a hotel and, while Sehon waited in his car, he was approached by Diaz and several other men, who robbed him. They exchanged gunfire, and Sehon was shot in the leg. All the men got away, but Diaz and an unidentified man were later arrested. Both had been shot - Diaz, in the back. (media reports)
44. 9/11/09 - Michael Darrell Rollerson, b/m, 25, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer L. Bookman Jr. (8-mo. rookie, North Patrol Div.), who said he saw Rollerson run a stop sign. He followed Rollerson to a residential driveway, where Rollerson and a passenger got out of the car. Bookman ordered them to show their hands, but Rollerson allegedly put his hands behind his back, then brought them forward toward the officer. Bookman claimed he feared for his life, so he shot him - twice, in the leg. Rollerson did not have a weapon. (media reports)
42. & 43. 9/8/09 - Gustavo Garcia, h/m, and Manuel Uribe, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD Lt. R.E. Hendricks (19-yr vet assigned to Robbery Div.), who was working off-duty patrolling the Tanglewood area. As he sat in his unmarked car, two men with guns approached him in an alleged robbery attempt. Hendricks was apparently able to shoot the men from his car, wounding both of them. Although at least one of the men shot at Hendricks, he was not injured. (media reports)
41. 8/21/09 - Sergio Robles
h/m, 24 and known to be mentally ill, critically wounded when shot in the head by Pasadena PD officer R. Barrionuevo. PPD officer Jesse Hamilton had responded to a domestic disturbance call placed by Robles' mother, who reported that Robles suffered from schizophrenia; she had previously called MHMRA, but they were unable to provide any help. When Hamilton saw Robles with a gun, he called for backup. Minutes later, he was shot in the head by Robles. Another officer returned fire, striking Robles in the head. Hamilton was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. (media reports)
40.†8/19/09 - Reginald A. Moore, 19, killed when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy T.J. Lobos. Moore had stabbed 2 adult relatives and a baby. When Lobos responded to a 911 call he found Moore standing in the middle of the street with a knife. He told him several times to put the knife down; Moore instead began walking toward him. Lobos shot him several times. Moore is the 19th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
39. 8/18/09 - Billie Joe Garza
26, h/m, wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies A.C. Hulsey and Donald W. Tipps, who were trying to serve an arrest warrant on him. Garza refused to stop, but crashed his car when a tire blew out. Both he and the 16-yr-old girl with him ran, and deputies say Garza fell, jumped up, and fired at them as he ran. They returned fire, hitting Garza several times. The girl was not charged. (media reports)
See also, 3/22/08 - Tipps shoots and kills Brian Dunkle; and
6/9/05 - Tipps shoots and wounds Juan Jose Morales.
38. 8/7/09 - Brian Keith Lee, b/m, 21, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer R.B. Olive, North Patrol Div. (7-yr vet). When narcotics officers entered Lee's apartment with a search warrant, they say Lee jumped through a window to escape. They say Lee refused to stay on the ground, and instead got up and charged at Olive. Claiming he feared for his life, Olive shot Lee, hitting him in the left arm. No weapon was reported to have been recovered. (media reports)
37.†8/1/09 - John Barnes, w/m, 39, killed when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer Ryan G. Gardiner (7-yr vet, Northeast Patrol). Barnes and his girlfriend were arguing outside their apartment when Gardiner, making his rounds as a security officer, came by. He ordered Barnes to get on the ground, and Barnes asked, "What for?" The two scuffled briefly, and Gardiner pulled out his Taser. Barnes' girlfriend said he then slapped the Taser out of Gardiner's hand because he has a metal plate in his head and had a fear of being shot with a Taser. The two then backed away from each other, and Barnes allegedly leaned against his car with arms folded and said, "What are you going to do, shoot me?" His girlfriend said, "When he was shot, he was leaning against the car, ... He didn't have anything in his hands. He wasn't a threat to him. He wasn't asked to get on the ground. He wasn't even given a warning. He just shot him." Gardiner shot him 5 times. Barnes is the 18th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
See also, 3/15/06 - Gardiner shoots Robert Paul Cantrell.
Also in 2006, Gardiner was identified as the HPD officer that used his Taser more than any other officer.
36.†7/24/09 - Juan F. Salgado, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officer W.G. Smith, an 11-yr vet. When officers responded to a reported burglary of an apartment, Salgado climbed out through a window into the enclosed patio. A K-9 unit released the dog into the patio, and officers say Salgado began attacking the dog with a screwdriver. Smith then entered the patio area, and claims Salgado then attacked him with a screwdriver, so he shot him in the chest. Salgado is the 17th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
35. 7/23/09 - Teresa Dianne Parks, aka Hunter, 51, wounded when shot by Precinct 5 deputy constable J.E. Lewis. Officers were trying to serve an arrest warrant and forced their way into her home. Parks barricaded herself in a room, then climbed out a window into the back yard and began climbing a fence. Claiming she had a shotgun, Lewis shot her in the back of her leg. (media reports)
34.†7/19/09 - Oscar Dario Sanchez-Reyes, h/m, 26, killed when shot by Webster PD officer Colin D. Murphy. Reyes, along with two companions, had robbed a bar in League City. A patron was able to call 911, and Webster PD responded to the call. The robbers' vehicle was stopped, and officers began chasing the suspects on foot. Police claim that Reyes fired at officers as he ran, and Murphy responded by firing 4 shots at him. Reyes was hit in the head; he died while being life-flighted to Hermann Hospital. Sanchez-Reyes is the 16th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
33.†7/14/09 - Tony Wayne Johnson, b/m, 29 and mentally ill, killed when shot multiple times by six Houston PD officers - Kevin D. Eichman, 35 (a 6-yr vet); Edward T. Fendia, 31 (a 2-yr vet); Darrell K. Marshall, 46 (a 2-yr vet); Thomas M. Reese, 46 (a 15-yr vet); Natividad G. Tovar III, 41 (a 13-yr vet); and Domingo Villarreal Jr., 23 (a rookie of just one month). Johnson was naked and holding a gun to his head as Aldine ISD officers chased him. He then crashed his car into a gate at HPD's Northeast Patrol Div. Officers claim he shot at them as he got out of the car, and all six officers shot him. A family member said, “He was hurting. He was in a lot of pain. But he was a good person and people should know that...He just needed some help, some counseling. If you have a family member, look for the signs you know. He was very depressed.” Johnson is the 15th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
See also, 1/9/03 - Eichman shoots Vernis Dwayne Scott.
32.†6/23/09 - Roberto Pedroza Carrillo, h/m, 37, killed when shot twice by Houston PD officer Ruben Lopez, a 24-yr vet assigned to Auto Theft Div. Undercover officers were meeting with Carrillo and three others to buy stolen auto parts. Carrillo suspected they were police officers, and shot Senior HPD officer Henry Canales in the head, killing him. Lopez then shot Carrillo. Carrillo is the 14th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
31. 6/17/09 - J. Garcia, wounded when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy D. Medina.
30. 6/8/09 - Anthony Rogers, 24, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer M. Reyes. Rogers had allegedly stolen a pickup truck, and Reyes was chasing him. When Rogers came to a stop after hitting a utility pole, Reyes approached the truck from behind. He claims that Rogers then backed the truck in an attempt to hit him, so he fired several shots, hitting Rogers at least 3 times - once in the jaw and once in the leg. He was life-flighted to Hermann Memorial Hospital in serious condition. (media reports)
29.†6/5/09 - Angel Erevia Jr., h/m, 31 and unarmed, killed when shot by Harris County Precinct 6 reserve deputy constable Jose Castillo, 39 (a volunteer deputy for 14 years). Castillo was in a bar with Erevia's estranged wife, and Erevia was with a girlfriend. The two women began fighting, and Castillo fired his gun into the air. When Erevia "responded" (how he did so is not reported) Castillo shot him four times - once after he was already down, according to a witness. Erevia was hit in the back, stomach and arms. Castillo was fired and charged with murder. Erevia is the 13th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
Jose Castillo
28.†5/26/09 - Ronald Lee Richardson, killed when shot by off-duty Humble PD officer J.G. Blanchard. Richardson shot his girlfriend in the shoulder as she tried to run from him. Blanchard was working nearby, and fired at least once at Richardson. After patrons of a nearby business pulled the girlfriend into the business and began helping her, they heard more gunshots from outside. (It is reported by the District Attorney's office that the officer's shots killed Richardson; Humble PD claims that ballistics tests showed Richardson died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Civilians Down reports only information received from the D.A. as being accurate.) Richardson is the 12th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
27.†5/23/09 - Andrew Criswell, killed when shot by Hedwig Village PD officer M. Sprinkle. Criswell is the 11th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (There are no media reports on this shooting; we will update when more information is obtained. CD)
26. 5/22/09 - Leslie Johnson, unarmed, wounded when shot in the leg by Harris County sheriff's deputy S. Hayes Jr. Hayes allegedly saw Johnson stealing from a convenience store, and confronted him. He claims Johnson threatened him, so he shot him. No weapon was reported to have been found. (media reports)
24. & 25.†5/16/09 - Jose Guadalupe Sanchez, h/m, 41, killed, and Joaquin E. Chabez, h/m, wounded when shot by off-duty Pasadena PD officer John E. Smith III. Upon arriving at a strip club, Smith saw Sanchez and Chabez arguing outside with the manager, who was a friend of his. He walked over to them, and claims the two men became confrontational with him. When a car pulled up, Chabez allegedly grabbed a gun from the car, and Smith shot him. He then says Sanchez began rummaging around in the back seat of the car, so he shot him, too, claiming he thought he had a gun. The driver of the car took both men to the hospital, where Sanchez was pronounced dead; Chabez had serious injuries to his hand. Smith is a 3-yr veteran of Pasadena PD, and was previously a Detroit PD officer for 10 years. Sanchez is the 10th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
23. 5/16/09 - Jacob Raymond Medina, h/m, 21 and totally deaf, wounded when shot in the back by Precinct 6 Constable's deputy Juan Pedraza. Medina was shooting his gun into the air from his porch, and Pedraza was sent to investigate. When ordered to put down the gun, police claim Medina refused, continued firing and pointed his gun at the deputy, who then shot him. (media reports)
22. 5/15/09 - Emmanuel A. Ajiodo II, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Brandon W. Bailey, who responded to an assault call from neighbors claiming Ajiodo was beating his girlfriend. When Bailey arrived Ajiodo locked himself inside his car, and allegedly pulled a gun from under the seat. Bailey shot him in the side of the abdomen, but Ajiodo refused to get out of the car. A SWAT team was called, and Ajiodo finally surrendered after 4 hours. (media reports)
20.& 21.†5/5/09 - Corby Dean Bradford, 40, killed, and Guadalupe Acosta
Guadalupe Acostawounded when shot by Metro P.D. officer R.L. Harrington. Police initially claimed Acosta told a Metro motorcycle officer that she had been assaulted, and Bradford, who was standing nearby, was allegedly identified as the assailant. When the officer approached him, Bradford began walking away with his hands in his pockets, with the officer following. Backup was summoned, and the situation escalated as the two officers Tasered Bradford three times. Police say the Taser had no effect, and claim Bradford pulled out a knife and began lunging at them. But Acosta says she was unaware that Bradford was being chased by officers, and she was shot through the arm from behind as she pushed a toddler in a stroller. Harrington shot Bradford three times, once in the heart, killing him. One of the bullets apparently passed through Bradford and struck Acosta. Bradford is the 9th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
19.†5/2/09 - Luis M. Escobar, h/m, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy E.O. Goodney. When Goodney tried to stop Escobar for speeding, a chase ensued, with Escobar allegedly running a red light and hitting two vehicles. Goodney fired toward Escobar when he got out of his car, and Escobar ran. Goodney continued to shoot at Escobar as he ran, claiming that he feared for his life (although an HCSO spokesman said they didn't know why Goodney was fearful). Escobar collapsed and died; he did not have a weapon. Escobar is the 8th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media report)
18.†4/24/09 - Jose Alfredo Vides
h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officers M. Valle, Eric Tewes (both 2-yr vets) and R. Stanfield (one-yr vet), all of Southeast Patrol Division. Officers responded to a call about a "suspicious" man with a gun, and ordered Vides to drop the gun. He then allegedly began firing at the officers, who returned fire, killing him. Vides' cousin said he was upset because police failed to promptly respond to the theft of his wheel rims. Vides is the 7th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
On 8/7/09, Tewes shot at a civilian, but did not hit him; no charges were filed against the civilian. See, http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2009/aug/nr081009-3.htm17.†4/20/09 - Jose Alexi Sorto, h/m, 29, killed when shot by Houston PD officer Xavier A. Flores (1-1/2 yr vet). When officers responded to a domestic disturbance call they found Sorto in the parking lot with two knives (one a machete). Flores approached him as he ordered him to get on the ground. Police claim that Sorto then lunged at Flores, who shot him at least once. Sorto is the 6th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
16. 4/17/09 - Gerard Jonathan Barnett, wounded when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer Christopher L. Slater. Officers were investigating a parking lot disturbance involving several males when two men began shooting at them from across the street, then began running away. As the officers gave chase, Slater claimed he feared for his life and shot Barnett from behind, hitting him in the leg. (media report)
See also, 3/3/00 - Slater shoots Tyson Demond Braxton.
15. 4/6/09 - Jordan Thomas Ayers (left, below)b/m, 25, critically wounded when shot in the jaw by Harris County Sheriff's deputy F. Fullbright. The deputy was working undercover investigating a car burglary ring and saw Ayers and a companion breaking into cars at the Town & Country campus of Houston CC. When Fullbright confronted them, they tried to run him down, knocking him onto the hood of their car. Fullbright fired through the windshield, hitting Ayers. (media reports)
14. 4/6/09 - Damon Marshall, 27, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer K.E. Smith (26-yr vet, Fondren Patrol Div.) Marshall had robbed a drugstore and was in the parking lot when Smith ordered him to drop his gun. Marshall instead began running away, and Smith fired several shots, hitting him once in the buttock. (media reports)
13. 3/31/09 - Stephen L. Anderson, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer A. Vanderberry and TDPS officer Ralph Ohland.
12. 3/23/09 - Steven Moran
apparently mentally ill, wounded when shot by Webster PD officers T.A. Claunch, P.T. Bacon, J.A. Tovar and D. Vasquez. Moran was involved in a car accident; his father drove him to the hospital, and went inside to get help. When doctors and nurses came outside to assist him, Moran was lying on the ground and threatened to shoot the staff. Police were called, and Moran allegedly threatened to shoot them. After about an hour, officers claim he pointed something at them, and four officers shot him, striking him eight times. Moran was holding a flashlight. (media reports)
11. 3/19/09 - Lisa Vermillion, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer C.A. Curtis, a 9-yr veteran assigned to Kingwood Patrol. Police had blocked a truck parked behind a truck stop because they suspected drug activity. When the driver of the truck pushed back the patrol car behind him with his truck, officers claim he then drove toward Curtis. As he fled, Curtis fired at the truck, hitting Vermillion in the leg, who was a passenger in the truck. Note: HPD policy prohibits officers from shooting at a fleeing vehicle unless a life is endangered; in this case, it appears Curtis shot into the passenger-side door as the truck passed him. (HPD report)
10.†3/7/09 - Lonnie Charles Bunch, b/m, 47, killed when shot by Houston PD officers J.F. Cadriel, a 22-year vet; Alejandro Gonzalez, a 10-year vet; Garry Parker, a 10-year vet; and C.P. Garner, a 15-year vet, all assigned to Southeast Patrol. Bunch was wanted for killing his estranged wife. When police saw him and tried to stop his vehicle, he refused to pull over. He drove into the driveway of his sister's home, where police claim he pointed a shotgun at them. All four officers then opened fire, killing him. Bunch is the 5th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
9.†3/5/09 - Wifido Joel Alfaro, h/m, 29, killed when shot by Houston PD narcotics officers Marshum D. Sinegal, a 10-yr vet; Carlos R. Cantu, a 12-yr vet; and Brenda K. McCord, a 13-yr vet. The officers were executing a no-knock search warrant at Alfaro's home to search for drugs, and say they announced themselves as police as they entered. As officer Richard Salter stepped inside, Alfaro shot him in the jaw, critically injuring him. The other three officers opened fire on Alfaro, killing him. Police describe a surveillance system at the Alfaro home as "elaborate" and indicative of drug dealing; the family says it was installed because their home had previously been burglarized. Alfaro's wife states that because the officers were dressed in black and wore ski masks, they feared for their lives and Alfaro was merely defending his family. No drugs were found in the home. Alfaro is the 4th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
8. 2/25/09 - Unknown black female, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer S. De La Cruz.
7.†2/9/09 - Travis Balko, 28 and known to be mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD officers C.M. Holloway, D.M. Rodriguez, D.D. Moore and P.F. Karmout. Residents of an apartment complex called 911 to report a man walking around with a shotgun. When the police arrived Balko had returned to his apartment, and refused to come out, saying he wanted them to leave. He also texted a friend and said he was thinking of killing himself; the friend reported this to the police, and came to the scene. Balko then came out of his apartment; the officers claim he began raising the shotgun toward them, and they shot him. Balko is the 3rd person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
6. 2/9/09 - Dante Terrell Williams, wounded when shot by Houston PD officers M.L. Wisnoskie and L. Cortinas. Williams and an accomplice were leaving a video store that they had just robbed when police arrived. The officers claim Williams pulled a shotgun from his waistband; both officers shot at him, and one of the bullets grazed Williams' foot. (media reports)
See also, 1/24/06 - Wisnoskie and other officers kill Jesse Isaac Sarabia
5. 2/2/09 - Travis A. Chambers, b/m, 18, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer T.B. Cooper, who responded to a call about a man walking around the apartment complex (where Cooper was working security) with a shotgun. When officers ordered Chambers to drop his rifle, they claim that Chambers instead pointed the gun at them, and Cooper shot him.
4.†1/30/09 - David E. Toliver, killed when shot by off-duty U.S. Customs/Border Patrol agent Ivan T. Young, who was making a purchase in a liquor store when Toliver entered, allegedly for the purpose of robbing the store. When Toliver pointed a gun and told everyone to get on the floor, Young drew his weapon and ordered Toliver to drop his gun. Police claim Toliver instead pointed his gun at Young, who then shot him. Toliver is the 2nd person known to have been shot to death this year by a police officer in Harris County. (media reports)
3. 1/19/09 - Julie Parker
w/f, 33 and known to be mentally ill, critically injured when shot by Houston PD Sgt. M.S. O'Neil (a 23-yr vet). Parker went to her father's work place with a toy gun and bow and arrow (her mother stated that she has religious delusions and thought her father was evil). When an employee tried to stop her after she entered, Parker shot him with the bow and arrow. Two other employees then shot her several times. When police arrived and tried to enter the room where she was hiding, officer O'Niel claims she pointed the bow and arrow at him and refused to put it down, and he shot her several times. Parker's mother said she was released from Austin State Hospital six weeks ago, and she told Austin police at that time what Parker was planning. She said they told her they "couldn't act until something happened." The person she shot with an arrow was treated and released from the hospital. (media reports)
2.†1/11/09 - Stephen Paul Greene, w/m, 54 and mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD SWAT officers M.S. Scales (29-yr vet), Richard L. Kent (17-yr vet) and Julian D. Coleman (27-yr vet). When Greene told family members he wanted to kill himself, they called police. Instead of sending an officer from the Critical Incident Team (established in 1999 to respond to incidents involving a mentally ill person), a SWAT team responded to the family's request for help. When Greene came to the front door with a pistol in his hand, the three officers opened fire on him, claiming he raised the gun in their direction. Greene's gun was never fired. Greene is the first person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
See also, 9/19/09 - Kent kills Gary Rick Varner; and
7/31/07 - Kent and other HPD officers shoot and kill Reginald Lee Sumbler; and
6/10/99 - Coleman and other SWAT officers kill Demetrio Martine Hernandez.1. 1/3/09 - Raymond J. Daniels, 28, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer D.L. Johnson-Wright after she stopped him for a traffic violation. As Johnson-Wright approached Daniels' car, he got out of the car and began walking toward her. Johnson-Wright told him to stop, but he kept coming. She tried to Taser him, but missed. She then drew her gun, and Daniels tried to take it from her. She managed to pull away, then fired once, hitting Daniels in the shoulder. Johnson-Wright suffered a broken finger. (media reports)
2008
To date there have been 36 officer-involved shootings this year - 16 were killed, and 20 were injured, including two women and a 13-year-old boy, shot in the back. One of those killed is alleged to be a CIA agent. None of the officers has yet been true-billed.
HPD officers killed 10 and wounded 12; sheriff's deputies killed 3and wounded 4; a Pct. 6 constable's deputy killed one; a Jersey Village PD officer killed one; Pasadena PD officers killed one and wounded one; a Bellaire PD officer wounded one; a Tomball PD officer wounded one; and a U.S. marshal wounded one.
36. 12/31/08 - Robert "Robby" Tolanb/m, 23, wounded when shot by Bellaire PD Sgt. Jeff Cotton, w/m, 39 (10-yr vet). Tolan and his cousin had just arrived at Tolan's home from his job at a nearby fast food restaurant and were walking to the door when they were accosted by Cotton and another officer. The officers shone a spotlight on the two and ordered them to get on the ground; they immediately complied. Tolan's mother was awakened by the noise outside her home and came to investigate. Officers claimed the car Tolan was driving had been reported stolen, but Mrs. Tolan insisted it was their car and had not been stolen. She was pushed against a wall by one of the officers, and Tolan raised slightly to protest his mother's treatment. Cotton then fired three shots at Tolan, striking him once in the chest. (media reports)
35. 12/20/08 - Tavan DeShawn Anderson, b/m, 24, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Michael Houston (6-yr vet, Crime Reduction Unit). Officers had stopped the car in which Anderson was a passenger for a traffic violation. Claiming they found drugs in the car, the officers began arresting the three occupants, and Anderson ran. Houston chased him on foot and when Anderson turned to face him Houston claims he pointed what he thought was a pistol at him. Houston then shot him, hitting Anderson in the shoulder. Anderson was holding a cell phone. Police also claim they found a pistol in the area where Anderson was shot. (media reports)
34. 12/12/08 - Patrick Jerome McZeal, b/m, 18, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Jaime Jaramillo, (6-yr vet). Jaramillo saw McZeal, allegedly armed with a gun, robbing a man. When Jaramillo approached him from behind and ordered him to drop the gun, he claims McZeal spun around and pointed the gun at him. Jaramillo then fired several times, striking McZeal once in the thigh. McZeal fled, but was soon caught by another officer. (media reports)
33. 11/29/08 - Charles Smith, 61 and apparently mentally ill, wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy Jason Denham. Smith was angry that his wife had left him, and went to the home where his wife was staying, taking several guns with him. About 20 people were there at a family birthday party. When Smith entered the house, one of the relatives jumped out a second floor window and ran to his car, where he called 911. When deputies arrived a few minutes later, Smith had already shot and killed his wife and was sitting on a sofa with his guns, saying he was going to die because he killed his wife. He reached for a rifle; as he lifted it, the barrel was momentarily pointed at the deputy. So Denham shot Smith, hitting him in the leg. At the same time, Smith shot himself in the head, killing himself. (media reports)
32.† 11/15/08 - Onyeije Giles, 28, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies T. Diaz, R. Salazar and E. Barron. As 3 people were changing a flat tire, Giles drove by and shot them. Deputies gave chase, and shots were exchanged. Giles crashed his pickup into two patrol cars, and deputies fired on him, killing him. No motive was given for Giles shooting at those changing a tire. Giles is the 15th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
31.† 11/2/08 - Ruben Rosales Gallegos, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officer M.J. Glover, a one-yr vet, Southeast Patrol Div. Glover heard gunshots, then saw a man running and shooting at passing cars, and he shot him. It was later learned that Gallegos had shot and wounded a security guard at another location earlier that night. Gallegos is the 14th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
30. 11/1/08 - David Glen Cruse, wounded when shot by Tomball PD officer J.R. Murray.
29.† 10/28/08 - Kenneth Green, b/m, 45 and known by police to be mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD officer E. Lem, a/m. Green's brother had called the city to find the proper agency to take him to a hospital because Green had stopped taking his medicine. He was referred to Houston PD, and a SWAT team soon arrived. The brother said he told the SWAT supervisor that Green was in his bedroom with an unloaded pellet gun, and was assured that they were not going to kill his brother because they had other options, such as bean bags, tasers or tear gas. He then heard two shots - his brother had been killed. Once more, no member of the Critical Incident Team was directed to help this mentally ill man in crisis. Green is the 13th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. Note: HPD did not issue a news release on this incident. (media reports) Note: HPD did not issue a news release on this incident.
28. 10/15/08 - Latrone P. Williams, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer R.C. Ford.
27.† 9/17/08 - Patrick D. Mathis, killed when shot by Houston PD officer C. Sellers. Mathis is the 12th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer.
26.† 9/15/08 - Maximo Torres Avila, killed when shot by Pasadena PD officer R. Parmeter. Avila is the 11th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer.
25.† 9/3/08 - Unidentified male, killed when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer Terry Hendrickson, who was asleep when he heard a window breaking in his bedroom. Hendrickson says a man was climbing through the window, so he shot him. The man later died in the hospital. Avila is the 11th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media report)
24. 8/22/08 - Miguel Benavidez, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer S. Fisher.
23. 8/16/08 - Jose Maria Torres, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer C.F. Alcantar.
22. 8/11/08 - Malcolm McCloud, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Charles Willie Jones Jr (10-yr vet). McCloud and another man exchanged gunfire in the parking lot of Uptown Tapas Bar on Richmond Avenue, where Jones was working off-duty as a security guard. McCloud was shot when Jones responded to the gunshots. Specific details of how the shooting occured are unclear in the police report. (media report)
21.† 7/30/08 - Timothy Doree, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies John Black and E. Solache. Doree is the 10th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers.
20. 7/7/08 - Joseph Mathis, critically wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies G. Harrison and R. Hamlet. Deputies had responded to a domestic violence call in which a young girl said her uncle was beating her mother. After the deputies removed the girl and her mother from the home, Mathis barricaded himself in his bedroom, refusing to come out. About 45 minutes later deputies went into the bedroom, and Mathis allegedly lunged at them with an ax. Two Taser shots apparently had no effect on Mathis, and Harrison and Hamlet shot him several times. (media reports)
19.† 6/28/08 - Willie David Curtis Jr., killed when shot by Houston PD officer Joseph D. Babineaux II ( 2-yr veteran, Northeast Div.) Responding to a family disturbance call, officers were talking to the victim when Curtis, who had threatened her with a gun, drove by. The officers gave chase, and Curtis crashed his vehicle. As he exited the car with gun in hand he began to turn toward the officers, and Babineaux shot him. Curtis is the 9th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
18. 6/15/08 - Victor Daniel Lebron-Vasquez, h/m, 28 and apparently mentally ill, critically wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Ha Crawford, a/f, a 5-yr vet of HPD. Police theorize that Lebron said something to a man sitting in his car just outside HPD headquarters that caused him to get out of the car. When Lebron then got into the car, the man began yelling for help. Crawford ran out of police headquarters with gun drawn, and ordered Lebron to get on the ground. He instead began approaching Crawford, moving his arms erratically. Although Lebron had nothing in his hands, Crawford claims she feared for her life and shot Lebron in the abdomen. (media reports)
17. 6/10/08 - Ambrose Chaptmon, b/m, 26, wounded when shot by U.S. marshal S. Lowenstein. Chaptmon and a companion were in a car registered to a person that had been reported missing. When officers tried to stop the car, Chaptmon drove around their roadblock. As he did, Lowenstein fired at the car several times, hitting Chaptmon. Chaptmon was later charged with the murder of the missing person. (media reports)
16. 6/6/08 - David Pena, 13, critically wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer I. Ontiveros, an 8-yr veteran. Police had responded to calls about shots being fired, and found Pena standing in his driveway; he had been shooting at his backyard fence. After officers told him several times to put the gun down, they claim he began turning toward them with the gun raised. Ontiveros then shot him 3 times in the right side of his lower back. (media reports)
15.† 6/4/08 - Terrance Alvin Brown, b/m, 30, killed when shot in the back by Houston PD officer Shane Nash (one-yr vet, Southeast Gang Task Force). Officers claim they saw Brown involved in a drug transaction, and he rode away on a bicycle when they approached him. They chased and caught him, and a struggle ensued. As the three struggled, officers claim Brown kept reaching for something in his shorts, allegedly attempting to remove something. Brown managed to overpower the two officers and began walking away, saying (according to police), "You're going to have to kill me." Officer Hans Wagner claims Brown then reached into his pants, and he saw what he thought was a gun. Wagner yelled, "Gun," and Nash then shot him in the back. Police recovered several small bags of white powder from Brown's body; no weapon was found in the area. Brown is the 8th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
14. 5/24/08 - Dora Sublett, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer S. Hamala.
13. 5/22/08 - Sam Jones, b/m, 38, wounded when shot several times by Harris County sheriff's deputy Don McCall, 44 (23-yr vet). Jones had robbed a taqueria and was walking out of the restaurant when McCall arrived. McCall says Jones pointed a gun at him, and the two began firing at each other. Jones was critically wounded by bullets in his torso and arm; McCall was wounded by a bullet that passed through his leg. (media reports)
12.† 4/29/08 - Roland Vincent Carnabyw/m, 52, killed when shot in the back by Houston PD officers Andrew J. Washington (22-yr vet) and Cecil Foster (15-yr vet). Officers had stopped Carnaby for a traffic violation; he showed them his identification as a CIA agent, then drove away. A chase at speeds up to 122 mph ensued as Carnaby tried to reach the FBI on his cell phone to verify his identity. When Carnaby got into heavy traffic, he pulled over but would not get out of his car. After one of the officers broke out the front passenger window, Carnaby got out on the other side. Police claim he leaned back into his car and reached for something under the seat; they further claim they saw a shiny object in his hand, and Washington and Foster each fired one shot at Carnaby. The shiny object was his cell phone. Carnaby was handcuffed and lay on the ground bleeding for 12 minutes before an ambulance arrived; police made no attempt to give medical help as he lay dying. Autopsy revealed that he died from a gunshot in his back that penetrated his spine. Carnaby is the 7th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
11.†4/11/08 - Tim Stokes
b/m, 28, killed when shot by Houston PD Sgt. Charles W. Jones (24-yr vet, North Patrol Div.), off duty and in plain clothes. Jones was visiting a friend when he heard a noise in the apartment parking lot. He looked out a window and saw someone breaking into his friend's car. When he approached the car and saw Stokes inside it, he claims he identified himself as a police officer and "gave verbal commands" to him. Jones further claims that Stokes then lunged at him with a screwdriver, and he shot twice, striking Stokes in the chest. Stokes is the 6th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
10. 4/9/08 - L. Mendez, 31, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Carl T. Sanders, a 15-yr vet. Sanders tried to make a traffic stop, and a short pursuit followed. When Mendez was forced to stop at a dead end street, he began to run away on nearby railroad tracks. Sanders followed. Claiming he thought Mendez had a gun, Sanders shot once, striking him in the ankle. (media report)
See also, 10/8/03 - Sanders shoots Jose Zamora in the head.9. †3/22/08 - Brian Dunkle, 47, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy Donald W. Tipps. Dunkle was wanted for rape; when deputies found him hiding in a bathroom, they say he pointed a gun at them, and Tipps shot him. Dunkle is the 5th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers.
See also, 8/18/09 - Tipps kills Billy Joe Garza; and 6/9/05 - Tipps shoots and wounds Juan Jose Morales.8. †3/12/08 - Frank Hubac, 56, killed when shot by Jersey Village PD officers R. Vasquez, E. Cavazos, M. Zatzkin, C. Zermeno and B. Martin. Hubac was allegedly pounding on a window of his wife's home, demanding to speak to her. She called police, who claim they tried talking to him for about 15 minutes. Officers claim Hubac then pointed a gun at them, and they shot him. Hubac is the 4th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
7. †3/4/08 - Glenn Moreau, 42, killed when shot numerous times by Houston PD officers C. Andersen, A. Rendon, R. Jennings, O. Maldonado, M. Franklin, and C. Darlow. Police officers chased Moreau after he ran a red light at high speed until he crashed his pickup truck into a street sign. When the officers got out of their cars, they claim Moreau began driving toward them, and shot him. Moreau is the 3rd person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
6. †2/22/08 - Marcus Anthony Alvarez, h/m, 22, killed when shot by Houston PD officers Osvaldo R. Gutierrez (Westside Patrol, 2-yr vet), Noe Juarez (12-yr vet) and Andrew Egras (4-yr vet). Alvarez and a companion had robbed someone outside a nightclub where the officers were working off-duty, and began shooting when the officers approached them. Alvarez was killed, and officer Gutierrez was shot in the leg. Alvarez is the 2nd person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
5. 2/20/08 - Demetrik Eugene Hurts, b/m, 31, slightly wounded when Houston PD officers P.V. Munoz and M. Sosa Jr., serving a search warrant, shot a dog they claim charged at them and a "possible bullet fragment" ricocheted, striking Hurts in the foot. (no media reports)
4. 2/13/08 - Havanna P. Garcia, h/f, 29, wounded when shot by Houston PD officers A. Arriaga, J.R. Salinas and F. Cardoza (all 5-yr vets assigned to Southeast Patrol Division). Police say Garcia was driving a stolen car, and when they tried to stop her, they claim she "became evasive" and tried to strike them with the car while they were on foot. All the officers shot at her, and she was struck in the elbow. (media reports)
3. 2/11/08 - A. Lockridge, wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy R. Cockerham. When a manager of the Big Texas Dance Saloon arrived at the building around 7 am, he found the door had been kicked in. He flagged down a passing patrol car and asked the deputy to check inside. Cockerham saw Lockridge, ordered him to freeze, but says Lockridge instead "advanced" toward him. He claims he saw what appeared to be a gun in Lockridge's hand, and he fired once, hitting him in the arm. Lockridge did not have a gun. (media report)
2. †1/26/08 - Jesus Gilbert Reyna, h/m, 21, killed when shot 7 times by off-duty deputy constable Cpl. Harry Thielepape, 57, a 10-yr veteran of Precinct 6. It is not known why Thielepape pulled over Reyna but, finding marijuana and a gun in his car, he arrested and handcuffed Reyna and put him in the back of his unmarked police car. Reyna managed to get Thielepape's gun and shot him 3 times. Using a second gun, Thielepape returned fire; witnesses said they heard about 20 shots fired during the exchange. Thielepape was critically wounded, and died about 3 weeks later. Reyna is the first person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
1. 1/15/08 - Jose Ayala, h/m, 21, critically wounded when shot by 8 Houston PD officers. The officers are: G. Rodriguez (24-yr vet), J.A. Cantu (15-yr vet), M.T. Romero (23-yr vet), T.D. Haase (24-yr vet), J.B. Byrd (28-yr vet), J.L. Thomas (23-yr vet), all assigned to Eastside Patrol Div., and Sgt. R. Rodriguez (23-yr vet), and officer A.C. Dealejandro (22-yr vet), both assigned to South Central Patrol Div. Officers had stopped Ayala's vehicle to arrest him for probation violation. A chase ensued and, when Ayala finally stopped and got out of his car, officers claim he pointed a weapon at them and they opened fire. They claim he then tried to enter a house but failed, pointed a weapon at them, and they again fired on him. The weapon turned out to be a BB gun. (media reports)
2007
There were 30 officer-involved shootings this year - 12 were killed, and 18 were injured, including 14- and 16-yr-old boys. Four of those killed and one of the wounded were mentally ill. All of the officers were no-billed.
HPD officers killed 8 and wounded 11; sheriff's deputies killed 2 and wounded 2; a Pct. 1 constable's deputy killed one; a West University PD officer killed one; a Pct. 3 constable's deputy wounded one; a Pct. 4 constable's deputy wounded one; a Pct. 5 constable's deputy wounded one; a Pct. 7 constable's deputy wounded one; and a Texas DPS trooper wounded one.
30. 12/31/07 - J. Varges, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Richard Martinez, 27 (2-yr vet, Southeast Patrol Div.), working off-duty as an apartment security guard. Martinez noticed a woman crying for help as she sat in a car with a man; the woman told him the man had raped her. When Martinez tried to arrest Varges he was knocked to the ground. Martinez then fired once, hitting Varges. It is unknown how seriously he was injured. (media reports)
29. †12/11/07 - Roy Williams Hooper, 57, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies S. Suarez, D. Jasper and M. Robison after a 20-minute car chase. Hooper had robbed and killed a man. When the truck in which Hooper was a passenger finally stopped, Hooper allegedly pulled out a gun, and deputies fired more than 30 rounds at him. Hooper is the 12th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
28. †12/8/07 - David King, 19, killed when shot by Precinct One reserve deputy constable Richard Jue, a/m, 49 (27-yr vet), who was working off-duty at his family's restaurant. Jue says King and another man tried to rob him in the parking lot by pulling his vest up over his face. He claims he feared for his life, pulled a gun from his waistband and fired at close range, striking King in the upper chest. King tried to hide between cars, and Jue fired twice more in his direction. King's accomplice escaped. King is the 11th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media report)
27. †10/18/07 - Raymond Smith Jr.b/m, 29, killed when shot twice by Houston PD officer Brian Marshall Bueno (5-yr vet), who claimed he feared for his life when the unarmed and naked Smith allegedly chased him. Bueno was ticketing another driver when Smith stopped and got out of his pickup truck. He asked the other driver (apparently someone he knew) if Bueno was (expletive) with him, and an argument between Smith and Bueno ensued. Bueno began to pat him down, and witnesses say Smith's pants fell down. They say that when Smith tried to pull them up Bueno shot him with a Taser, which had no effect except possibly to annoy Smith, because he then tore off all his clothes and ran into some nearby woods. Bueno followed, but then claims Smith charged at him, so he shot him. Smith fell, but got up and ran to the patrol car, where police claim he tried to drive away. Bueno and backup officers pulled him out of the car, and Smith ran back into the woods, where he died. Smith is the 10th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
26. 8/27/07 - R. Patton, 24 and known to be mentally ill, shot by Precinct 3 deputy constable C. Kerr when responding to a domestic disturbance call. Patton had allegedly threatened his grandparents with a knife. Kerr claims he told Patton 10-15 times to drop the knife, then shot him, grazing Patton's chest. (media reports)
25. 8/23/07 - A. Campos, teenage h/m, shot from behind by Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constable R. Elkin, who claimed Campos and a companion appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol as the walked down the street at 6:45 a.m. Elkin further claims that, when he began patting him down, Campos pulled a gun and started running away. Elkin said he grabbed at his arm and Campos fired shots at Elkin but did not hit him. Apparently, Campos was able to run from the officer, who then shot him in the buttocks. (media reports)
24. †8/20/07 - Clifton Gerald Eames, b/m, 36, shot and killed by West University PD officer Alex Gomez (one-yr vet with WUPD, but 6 yrs policing experience), and Southside Place PD officer Stephen Mulligan (23-yr vet). Eames, who was jealous of his wife's soaring career opportunities, had ambushed and killed her in a parking lot, shooting her several times. He then put her body in the trunk of his car, drove to a nearby church school and told employees to call police. When Gomez and Mulligan arrived, Eames shot at them, and they returned fire, hitting him multiple times. Eames is the 9th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
23. 8/14/07 - Brittnee S. King
b/f, 18, wounded when shot on her 18th birthday by Houston PD officer Patrick Carraway (sworn in just 4 months ago, assigned to Northeast Patrol Div.) Officers saw a passenger in King's vehicle throw some trash out the window and tried to stop her. Apparently, King was near her home, and she instead continued driving to her apartment complex, where a code was required to enter. As she began punching in the code, Carraway claimed he saw a shiny object in her left hand, and shot her. King's mother says the "shiny object" was likely the bracelets she was wearing that night. (media reports)
22. †7/31/07 - Reginald Lee Sumbler, b/m, 21, killed when shot multiple times by Houston PD officers Sergeant P.E. Ogden III (Eastside Patrol Division), Officer H.M. Wagner Jr.(5-yr veteran, Southeast Patrol Division), Officer T.S. Warren (Special Operations Division), and Officers Patrick J. Straker, A. Gonzales, Richard L. Kent, and R.J. McCusker (SWAT). Police say Sumbler had called them, saying he wanted to die. The first officer to respond found him outside his home, holding a gun and a Bible. A CIT officer then spoke to him for nearly an hour, convincing him to move away from his gun and read his Bible. As he did so, SWAT officers arrived and began surrounding him. Alarmed by SWAT's arrival, police say Sumbler grabbed the gun; at least one witness said he didn't pick up the gun at this point. Police claim he then pointed it at the officers; witnesses say he did not. One of the officers shot once, and Sumbler fell backward into a ditch. He then grabbed for the gun, and all seven officers opened fire. Sumbler is the 8th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)
See also 10/23/06 - Straker kills Mohammad Rafi; and 8/13/01 - Straker kills McLoren Anthony Jones; and 9/2/03 - Straker kills Mary J. Beasley; and 6/10/99 - Straker kills Demetrio Martine Hernandez; and
1/11/09 -Kent kills Stephen Paul Greene; and 9/19/09 - Kent kills Gary Rick Varner; and
8/11/05 - Wagner kills Ronald Charles Newman.21. †7/21/07 - Steven Guillory
b/m, 39 and mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD officers T.K. Richardson and R.B. Wieners. Police say Guillory had threatened his mother with a knife, and she called 911 for help, telling them that her son was mentally ill. When officers arrived they said Guillory had a large pipe and appeared agitated. After about 20 minutes the officers moved away and called for backup; Guillory then began smashing the patrol car's windows and headlights. When the second officers arrived Guillory's mother told them her son was schizophrenic and bipolar, begging them not to shoot him. But they allege that Guillory threw the pipe at them, and Richardson and Wieners then shot him at least once. Once again, the Crisis Intervention Team either was not summoned or failed to respond to this call. Guillory is the 7th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
20. 7/21/07 - B. Pierre, is wounded when shot by Houston PD officer E. Browhow after robbing some women at gunpoint. Browhow chased and caught him, and a struggle ensued as Pierre tried to take the officer's gun. Browhow managed to hold on to the gun, but shot Pierre in the leg. (media reports)
19. 7/3/07 - John F. Burks, b/m, 17, wounded when shot by Houston PD narcotics officer M. A. Dominguez (2-yr vet, Fondren Patrol), who says Burks tried to run over him. Working undercover, Dominguez was sitting in his unmarked car in a parking lot when he observed what he believed to be a drug deal. He apparently called uniformed officers, and when they tried to arrest Burks, Dominguez claims Burks accelerated rapidly toward him. (But the HPD news release states that Burks "swerved around the officer and his unmarked patrol vehicle.") Dominguez fired several shots at Burks, striking him in both wrists. (media reports)
See also 5/30/07 - Dominguez' partner shoots J. Rivas, 16.18. 6/8/07 - Anthony Daniel Williams, b/m, 28, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer E.B. Cisneros (15-yr vet). Williams had stolen a car at gunpoint, and was fleeing from police when he crashed the car. He fled on foot, and was hiding behind a library book drop box when Cisneros ordered him to put his hands up and get on the ground. At first he complied, but then Cisneros claims he dropped his hands as if reaching for a weapon and made an overt move toward him. Cisneros then shot Williams in the chest, claiming he feared for his life. Williams did not have a weapon, and none has been found. (media reports)
17. 6/3/07 - Clifford Jackson Fairfax, b/m, 42, wounded when shot in the leg by Houston PD officer R. Madrid (16-yr vet, North Patrol Div.) Fairfax was burglarizing a home when he saw the homeowner and Madrid pulled up to the house. He jumped through a window and began running away. Madrid claims Fairfax was holding a black object and turned towards him with it in his hand. Claiming he thought Fairfax was about to shoot him, Madrid fired once, striking Fairfax in the leg. The black object was Fairfax's wallet. (media reports)
16. †6/2/07 - Darrell Gragert, 42, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy A. Waybright (5-yr vet), who found Gragert sitting in his car behind a car wash at 3:30 a.m. As the officer approached, Gragert got out of his car and said he was having car trouble. When he got back in his car to get his I.D., Waybright claims he started the car and reached behind his seat, refusing to show his hands. He then claims Gragert accelerated rapidly in reverse toward him. Waybright shot at Gragert three times, striking him in the hand and upper torso. It is unclear how a gunshot could have struck Gragert in his torso, since the deputy allegedly was standing behind the car. It appears Waybright violated HCSO policy by shooting at a moving vehicle. Gragert died an hour later. He is the 6th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
15. 5/30/07 - J. Rivas, h/m, 16, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer P. Kopulos as Rivas struggled with Kopulos' partner, M.A. Dominguez (both 2-yr veterans with Fondren Patrol). The officers say they saw two men and Rivas jaywalking and "acting suspicious," and began patting them down. When they found a gun on one of the men, the officers claim Rivas pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at them. Dominguez grabbed his hand. They further claim that Rivas shot at Dominguez as they struggled over the gun, grazing his cheek. Kopulos then fired two shots at Rivas, hitting him at least once. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. (media reports)
See also, 7/3/07 - Dominguez shoots John Burks.14. † 5/12/07 - Alex Macario Rivera, aka Hegnor Iriash/m, 22, killed when shot in the back by Houston PD officer K.R. Barnes (9-yr veteran, Fondren Patrol), who was talking to a woman whose purse was stolen. As they spoke, a man identified a passerby as the person that had previously robbed him at gunpoint. Barnes approached Rivera, who allegedly "fled" into a nearby apartment complex. Police first claimed that Rivera then ran toward Barnes with a pistol, refused to drop the gun, and Barnes fired twice, hitting Rivera in the upper torso. Two days later officers admit that Rivera was shot in the back. Rivera is the 5th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)
13. 5/10/07 - Alejo Castaneda Gonzalez, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer R.E. Briggs (16-yr veteran, Narcotics Div.), who was conducting an investigation when Gonzalez allegedly confronted him with a gun. Briggs claims Gonzalez fired at him, and Briggs shot once, striking Gonzalez in the abdomen. He is in stable condition. (media reports)
12. 5/9/07 - C. Bennett, 26, wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy J. Garcia, a 15-yr vet. A motorist said he was being followed by another car and was directed to stop at a gas station where a deputy was waiting. When the deputy stopped the car, the passenger got out and tried to hide between other cars. Garcia claims he saw Bennett drop a magazine clip as he ran toward some nearby woods with a pistol in his hand. He further claims Bennett then turned toward him, and Garcia fired several shots, hitting Bennett at least once in the chest. He was Life-Flighted to Ben Taub Hospital in stable condition. (media reports)
11. † 5/6/07 - Marnell Robertson Villarreal
b/f, 42 and mentally ill, killed when shot once at Houston PD headquarters by HPD officer A.B. Clay, a 9-yr vet. Villarreal had first requested to speak to an investigator about a case involving her, but was refused entry because her name was flagged as someone who had previously tried to bring weapons into the building. Officers then saw her "wandering" on the street in front of headquarters, and again refused her entry when she asked to use the bathroom. She later rushed into the building, allegedly with a knife in her hand (Note: A witness claims it was similar to a butter knife), crying out, "Shoot me, kill me. I want to end this." As she focused her attention on Clay, officer E.D. Smith (5-yr vet), shot her with a Taser, which apparently failed to make contact. Clay then shot her in the chest. Villarreal was convicted in November of unlawfully carrying a weapon, and was ordered at that time to have a psychiatric examination; it is not known if the examination was arranged by the court or any other authority. Once again, no CIT officer was summoned, despite her unusual behavior for several hours before she was killed. Villarreal is the 4th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)10. 5/3/07 D. Rogers, shot by off-duty Houston PD SWAT officer Gilbert Reyes (28-yr vet) after robbing a restaurant. Reyes had just left a restaurant near the one that was robbed, and chased Rogers in his car. When he caught up with him, Reyes claims Rogers threatened him with a gun, and he shot him. Rogers ran into some nearby woods and was able to get to his home, where he called 911 to report he had been shot; and the police then arrested him. (media reports)
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