November 5, 2012 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by Houston police officers at 12810 Ashford Pine Drive about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (Nov.4). 

The identity of the male suspect is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. 

Senior Police Officers J. R. D'Eugenio and  S. J. Hamala, who discharged their duty weapons, were not injured in the incident.  Officer D'Eugenio is assigned to the Westside Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in February 1984.  Officer Hamala is assigned to the Tactical Operations Division and was sworn in as an officer in June 1990. 

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant T. Richardson and Officers I. Ulloa and D. Fontenot reported: 

HPD Westside patrol offciers responded to a suspicious person with a weapon call at the above address and saw the suspect in the driveway of his residence, armed with a shotgun and a handgun.  Officers gave repeated verbal commands to the suspect to drop his weapons, which he ignored.  The suspect then raised the shotgun and pointed it at the officers.  Fearing for his and his fellow officer's safety, Officer D'Eugenio discharged his duty weapon at the suspect.  It is unknown if the suspect was struck at that time.  The suspect then retreated into his residence. 

The HPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Hostage Negotiation (HNT)  teams responded to the scene and began efforts to communicate with the suspect.  After exhausting all efforts to communicate with the suspect, the SWAT team attempted to gain entry to the residence with an armored vehicle.  As the armored vehicle moved toward the front door of the residence, the suspect fired multiple rounds, striking the vehicle.  The vehicle then retreated as the suspect continued to fire a high-powered rifle in the direction of officers and nearby residences.  Fearing for the safety of fellow officers and residents in the neighborhood, a SWAT officer discharged his duty weapon and fatally struck the suspect. 

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, as well as the Harris County District Atotrney's Offfice. 

VHS/JKS  11-5-12
Inc. #139910512