December 26, 2012 - Charges have been filed against a suspect who fatally shot a woman at 4827 Brisbane about 7:15 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 23) and then fired gunshots at Houston police officers at two different locations prior to his arrest.

The suspect, Herbert G. Gardner (b/m, DOB: 2-21-69), is charged with murder and aggravated asssault against a public servant in the 180th State District Court. He is accused in the fatal shooting of Connie Leatrice Bowie, 39, of the above address. A photo of suspect Gardner is attached to this news release.


HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Rodriguez and Officer J. Harvey reported:

The suspect forced entry to Ms. Bowie's home by breaking a front window and crawling through it. He then got into a physical altercation with Bowie and shot her with a shotgun.

A call was made to 911 reporting the incident as an assault in-progress. When the first HPD Southeast Patrol officer arrived on scene, the suspect fired a shotgun numerous times, striking the patrol car several times and shattering two passenger side windows. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, which he stole from Bowie's drive way.

During the pursuit, the suspect stopped at the intersection of Airport and Almeda and fired shots at pursuing officers. One officer, J. Gomez, discharged his duty weapon at that location. The suspect then continued in the vehicle to the 5300 block of Glen Rio, where he again pointed a shotgun at officers. Two officers, J. Gomez and A. Garza, discharged their duty weapons at that time. No one was injured. Officer Gomez was sworn in as an officer in September 2007 and Officer Garza was sworn in as an officer in June 2012. Both officers are assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division.

The suspect was then taken into custody and transported to Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained during the commission of the initial crime.

JFC/VHS 12-26-12
Inc #160892912