Suspect With Screwdriver Killed By Officer

POSTED: 6:53 am CDT April 11, 2008

UPDATED: 4:31 pm CDT April 11, 2008

HOUSTON -- An off-duty police officer shot and killed a man who was allegedly breaking into a car in a northwest Houston parking lot armed with a screwdriver, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

Houston police said the 24-year veteran officer was visiting a friend at an apartment complex on West Tidwell Road near Wheatley Street when he heard glass breaking at about 1:30 a.m.

Investigators said Sgt. C.W. Jones looked out the window and saw what he believed to be a car burglary in progress. "As he approached the car, he did not see anyone at all," Capt. Bruce Williams said. "(He) got a little closer, saw that there was a suspect actually inside the vehicle."

Jones identified himself during the confrontation with the man, officials said.

"He said he was a Houston police officer and to exit the vehicle," Williams said. "That's when the suspect did, of course, exit, but he lunged toward the officer in an aggressive manner."

Jones stepped back and fired at least one shot at the man because he feared for his life, police said.

The man, identified as 28-year-old Timothy Stokes, died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detectives said they did not find a gun on Stokes, but found a large screwdriver, which police consider a weapon.

Stokes' mother said her son should not have lost his life.

"He can't tell his side of the story. A dead man can't talk," Barbara Stokes said. "I can't express myself. I feel empty inside. I can't believe this happened to him this way."

Some residents said they doubt deadly force was necessary.

"He could have did something else," resident Elisabeth Oveal said. "He could have hit him, Tasered him or anything besides killing him."

Jones does not work at the apartment complex but is assigned to a patrol in the area.

Stokes was the youngest of 12 children.

"(He's) the baby. He didn't deserve that," Barbara Stokes said.

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