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Update on Incident at 2300 Mason
December 19, 2005 -- Houston
police homicide investigators said three suspects arrested and
charged in the shooting of a Houston police officer at 2300 Mason
about 12:25 a.m. on December 15 have likely committed other crimes,
prompting investigators to ask for other victims to come forward
to identify the suspects.
The three suspects are identified as Michael
Martinez (H/m, DOB 11-13-83), Rodolfo
Antonio Villalta (H/m, DOB 8-13-86) and Richard
Garza (H/m, DOB 11-19-88). All three are charged with aggravated
robbery with a deadly weapon in the 183rd State District Court.
Villalta remains at Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment of
gunshot wounds. A fourth suspect, Aurelio Ivan Chavez (H/m, DOB
9-25-81), was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire. Photos of
the three surviving suspects are attached to this news release.
The officer, working undercover at the time of
the shooting, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and ankle.
He was transported to Memorial Herman Hospital and is in good
condition.
HPD narcotics officers were conducting an investigation
in the 2300 block of Mason when they were approached by four Hispanic
males in a small, gold Toyota four-door vehicle. The suspects
approached the officers and asked if the officers would be interested
in purchasing marijuana. The officers said they were not interested
and the suspects left. The suspects returned and asked the officers
if they were interested in purchasing cocaine. When the officers
approached the suspects in an attempt to arrange and negotiate
the transaction, two of the suspects attempted to rob one of the
officers. The suspects produced guns and began firing at officers.
The officers returned fire, striking and fatally injuring one
of the suspects. One other suspect was apprehended at the scene
and two others fled. They were apprehended a short time later
hiding under a house in the 200 block of Stratford.
Anyone who might have been victimized by one
or more of the three suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide
Division at 713-308-3600.
Update JFC/MES 12-19-05
JGA/RMM 12-15-05
Inc# 188502605
For additional information, please
contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
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