Incident at 4400 Mowery July 31, 2007 - A suspect who pointed a gun at Houston police officers was fatally shot by officers at 4400 Mowery about 10:40 a.m. today (July 31). The suspect, identified as Reginald Lee Sumbler (b/m, DOB 10-5-85), was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital. Seven HPD officers discharged weapons at the suspect. They were: Sergeant P.E. Ogden III of the Eastside Patrol Division, Officer H.M. Wagner Jr. of the Southeast Patrol Division, Officer T.S. Warren of the Special Operations Division, and Officers P.J. Straker, A. Gonzales, R.L. Kent, and R.J. McCusker of the Tactical Operations Division. None of the officers was injured. HPD Homicide Division Sergeant P.C. Motard and Officer C.P. Abbondandolo reported: Mr. Sumbler called police from his residence at 4327 Mowery about 9:20 a.m. to report that he “wanted to die.” The responding patrol officers were advised Sumbler had a firearm and wanted to commit suicide. Just as the first officer arrived, Sumbler was out in front of his residence. He had already fired at least two shots from a 9 mm pistol. Mr. Sumbler stepped into the middle of a large grassy median on Mowery while holding the gun and a Bible. As officers continued to set up a perimeter for safety in the area, Mr. Sumbler alternately put the weapon to his head, waved it in the air and laid it on the ground. A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officer spoke with Mr. Sumbler and pleaded with him to move away from the weapon. Shortly after Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers arrived, they were in the process of setting up when Mr. Sumbler picked up the gun and pointed it at one or more officers. Sumbler was shot and fell back. Witnesses said Mr. Sumbler once again raised the weapon in a threatening manner. He was then shot again. As is customary in officer-involved shootings in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney’s office. 7-31-07 For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |