Houston Police Department

October 28, 2005 -- Houston police homicide investigators are seeking the public's help in identifying at least two suspects wanted in the murder of an off-duty HPD officer at 9707 South Gessner about 3 a.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 26).

Reward monies up to $20,000 are available for information leading to the arrests of and charges against the suspects in this case.

The shooter is described as a black male, 25 to 30 years of age with wavy hair. He has a scar or mark on his bottom lip. The suspect weighs about 180 to 190 pounds and was wearing all black, including a white stripe on a shirt or jacket collar. Witnesses located thus far have said they saw two young black males walking toward the apartment where the shooting occurred. Immediately following the gunshots, the same two males were seen running from the apartment building. A few moments later, a dark, mid-sized car was seen leaving the complex at a high rate of speed. Witnesses described the suspects as being in their late teens or 20s, with medium heights and thin builds. Their hair was very short on the sides and a little longer on top, commonly referred to as "tapered fades." One male was wearing a black windbreaker suit, and the other a dark blue jacket and black pants. Click here for a composite sketch of the shooter.

The slain officer, Reuben De Leon, 31, was assigned to the Fondren Patrol Division and sworn in as an HPD officer in August of 1999. Officer De Leon and another off-duty officer were at apartment #1015, wearing plain clothes when an unknown black male knocked on the door of the apartment. The suspect shot Officer De Leon multiple times when he answered the door and then fled through the apartment complex.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. In addition to the Crime Stoppers reward of up to $5,000, the Houston Police Officers Union is offering $5,000 and officials with Schepp's Dairy have posted an additional $10,000 reward to anyone who leads them to the identities of and charges against the suspects in this case.

Funeral services for Officer DeLeon will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, October 29) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 514 Carlisle Street in Rosenberg. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Rosenberg.

Update (2) JFC/RMM 10-28-05
Updated: MES/JFC 10-26-05
Inc #162792505

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