July 29, 2011 - Charges have been filed against two suspects involved in an incident in which a Houston police officer wounded a suspect at 7221 Weyburn about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday (July 28).

Willie Washington (b/m, DOB: 1-9-80) and Clarence Branford (b/m, DOB: 1-10-54) are charged with possession of a controlled substance in the 184th State District Court.  A current photo of Washington is attached to this news release.  There is no current photo of Branford, however, a June 2011 photo is attached to this news release.

Officer J.C. Oliver, Jr., who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Officer Oliver, assigned to the Narcotics Division, was sworn in as an officer in December 2002.

HPD Homicide Division Officers C. Cardenas and I. Ulloa reported:

HPD Narcotics Division officers were executing a search warrant at the above address when they were attacked by a pit-bull dog.  Officer Oliver, fearing for his life and that of his fellow officers, discharged a shotgun at the animal, wounding it.  The dog fled, then returned and charged the officer a second time.  Officer Oliver then drew his duty pistol and discharged it one time, killing the dog.

During this incident, suspect Branford was slightly wounded, possibly by ricocheting pellets from the officer’s shotgun.  Branford was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings, this case will be investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.