Houston Police Department

June 19, 2005 -- Charges have been filed against a suspect who endangered the safety of an HPD officer at 10830 Bellaire on Sunday June 19, 2005 about 2:45 a.m.

The suspect Ngoc Van Nghiem (A/m DOB: 07-09-73), has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer. He sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in critical condition.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant C.W. Howard and Officers P.T. Yochum and I.F. Flores reported:

Officer J.M. Garris, a seven-year veteran assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division, was working an extra job in uniform at 10830 Bellaire. At approximately 2:45 a.m. Nghiem entered the restaurant holding a Tec 9 semi automatic pistol. He pointed the pistol at a group of people sitting at one of the tables and his pistol jammed. He cleared his weapon and pointed the pistol at the group of people again, at which time Office Garris fired his weapon. Nghiem pointed his pistol at Officer Garris and the officer fired at him once again. Nghiem was hit once in the abdomen and fled the restaurant in a black Lincoln Navigator. He was apprehended in the 11200 block of Bellaire where he was transported to the hospital.

JGA 6-19-05
Inc# 094050605

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.