September 4, 2012 - Houston police are investigating the death of a man following an incident at 4045 North Freeway (North Interstate Highway 45) about 10:15 p.m. last Friday (Aug. 31).

Denis John Chabot, 37, was tranported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.  His cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

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

Mr. Chabot was visiting a friend in a room at the Texan Inn and Suites at the above address when he became agitated and paranoid.  His friend asked him to leave the room, but Chabot refused, causing hotel security to be called to ask him to leave.  When a security guard approached him, Chabot began acting aggessive and erratic toward the security guard, who then called police for assistance.  As police arrived, Chabot was seen running up an exit ramp of the North Freeway and then across the freeway mainlanes.  Officers attempted to block traffic to prevent Chabot from being struck by a car, but Chabot continued to act erratically and ran into traffic.  Officers continued to attempt to get Chabot into custody and used a conducted energy device without the cartridge to stun the suspect.  Chabot appeared to be in physical distress and was then transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead about nine hours la ter.

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



JKS/JFC 9-4-12
Inc. #111062812