June 16, 2011 - Charges have been filed against three suspects arrested in the aggravated assault of several on-duty Houston police officers at 8100 Schneider about 3 a.m. on Wednesday (June 15).

One suspect, Martin Ramirez (H/m, DOB: 10-22-93), is charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a public servant and one count of engaging in organized criminal activity in the 230th State District Court.  Two other suspects, Ramiro Ortiz (H/m, DOB: 9-2-93) and Nicholas Rojas (H/m, DOB: 10-29-92), are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in the same court.  Photos of all three suspects are not for release at this time, pending the ongoing investigation.

Officers G. Garcia, Jr. and A. Ali, who discharged their duty weapons in the incident, were not injured.   Senior Police Officer Garcia was sworn in as an officer in March 1990 and Officer Ali was sworn in as an officer in November 2010.  Both are assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. Roberts and Senior Police Officer R. Cervantes reported:

Northeast patrol officers responded to an unrelated call at an apartment complex at 2000 Tidwell and encountered Ramirez, Ortiz and Rojas, involved in suspicious activity. As officers attempted to detain the suspects, all three fled in a stolen pickup truck.  Officers pursued the vehicle and, at some point during the pursuit, the suspect driver (Ramirez) rammed both patrol vehicles at least two times, causing serious damage and jeopardizing the safety of the officers inside them.  As Ramirez rammed the second patrol vehicle, with Officers Garcia and Ali inside, both officers, fearing for their safety, quickly exited their patrol vehicle and discharged their duty weapons several times at the suspects and the vehicle.  Ortiz, a front seat passenger, was struck.  All three suspects then exited the truck and Ortiz and Rojas were taken into custody.  Ramirez fled on foot and was taken into custody a short distance away.  Ortiz was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital with non-threatening injuries.

Further investigation has determined the three suspects engaged in a crime spree involving numerous vehicle burglaries across north Houston earlier that morning.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



VHS/JFC  6-16-11
Inc. #077472411