Armed Murder Suspect Fatally Shot by Officers at 1326 Charnwood

March 9, 2009 - A suspect armed with a shotgun believed used in the murder of his wife was fatally shot by Houston police officers at 1326 Charnwood about 9:35 a.m. on Saturday (Mar. 7). 

The identity of the suspect is pending verification by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.  He was being sought in the killing of his wife, Yolonda Bunch, 47, outside an apartment at 600 West Donovan about 12:10 a.m. on Saturday. 

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M.W. McStravick and Officer T.A. Andrade reported:  

Officers responded to a shooting call at 600 West Donovan and found Mrs. Bunch lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.  She was pronounced dead at the scene.  Investigators learned Bunch had been in an abusive relationship with the suspect and was attempting to leave him.  On this occasion, the suspect waited for his wife to come back to a friend's residence.  The suspect confronted his wife and her friend.  Bunch attempted to run away from the suspect but was unable to escape.  The suspect shot her and then fled the scene.  

A general broadcast of the vehicle the suspect was driving was provided to patrol officers over police radios. Patrol officers observed the suspect driving the vehicle about 9 a.m. and attempted to stop it.  The suspect refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit that ended when he pulled into a driveway at 1326 Charnwood and exited his vehicle with a shotgun.  When the suspect pointed the shotgun at the officers, four police officers, fearing for their safety, discharged their duty weapons and fatally wounded the suspect.  None of the officers was injured.

The four Southeast Patrol Division officers who discharged their weapons were A. Gonzalez and G. Parker, both sworn in as officers in March 1999; Senior Officer C. Garner, sworn-in in September 1993; and Senior Officer J. Cadriel, sworn-in in September 1986. 

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office. 

JFC/KJS
Inc #033295009

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