January 6, 2012 - Charges have been filed against an armed suspect arrested in an incident in which an off-duty Houston police officer discharged his duty weapon at the suspect at 7024 Lawndale about 2:35 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 4).

The suspect, Edgar Moran (H/m, DOB: 8-11-88), is charged with aggravated assault of a publc servant in the 183rd State District Court.

A photo of suspect Moran is attached to this news release.

Officer J. A. Ramirez, Jr., who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Officer Ramirez is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in July 2006.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants K. Tolls, P. Jewell and K. Rhoades reported:

Officer Ramirez, off-duty and in full HPD uniform, was working an approved extra job at the El Portal nightclub at the above location.  Suspect Moran was leaving the club as it was closing for the evening when he got into a physical confrontation with Officer Ramirez.  After the confrontation, Moran produced a handgun, which he then pointed at Officer Ramirez.  Fearing for his safety and that of the people in the immediate area, Officer Ramirez discharged his duty weapon several times, but did not strike Moran.  Moran then fled the scene in his vehicle, but was taken into custody a short distance away by HPD patrol officers.  Moran's weapon was recovered.

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.