November 21, 2011 - Houston police are investigating the apparent suicide of a male at 61 Riesner Street about 8:15 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 19).

The male, Robert Gomez (H/m, DOB: 5-2-81), of Houston, was pronounced dead at the scene.  An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will determine his cause of death.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Rodriguez and Officers M. Chaney, R. Nunez and I. Ulloa reported:

Mr. Gomez was arrested for public intoxication about 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and, due to his combativeness at the scene and in a patrol vehicle, he was booked into the HPD Central Jail at the above location.  Gomez was medically screened and cleared by jail medical personnel.  Once in custody, Gomez was then placed in an individual cell, in view of other prisoners.  Shortly after jail personnel checked on Gomez, he removed his T-shirts and hung himself from his cell's bars.  Jail personnel were notified and provided first aid, but paramedics pronounced Gomez deceased.

The incident is being investigated as an in-custody death since it occurred in the presence of HPD personnel.  As is customary in such cases, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.



JFC/JKS    11-21-11
Inc #150274811