June 24, 2013 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which a Pearland police officer discharged his duty weapon at a suspect at 11800 Astoria about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday (June 23).

The suspect, 26, was transported to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The Pearland police officer who discharged his duty weapon was not injured in this incident.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. French and Senior Police Officer M. Khan reported:

The Pearland police officer was guarding the outside of the suspect's Memorial Hermann Southeast hospital room. The suspect had been handcuffed to his hospital bed, but suddenly walked out of the room. The officer gave the suspect verbal commands to stop, at which point the suspect ran out of the emergency room, escaping the hospital. The officer followed the suspect, continuously giving verbal commands for him to stop.

The suspect then jumped into a retention pond outside of the hospital and the officer continued to pursue him into the pond. The suspect was then able to swim ahead of the officer and gain a vantage point over him on the embankment. When the suspect turned towards the officer in an aggressive manner, the Pearland police officer, in fear of his safety, discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect. Responding Harris County Precinct Two deputy constables arrived to assist the officer with returning the suspect to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead.

As is customary in officer-involved shooting incidents in the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office. In addition, the Pearland Police Department and the Harris County Precinct Two Constable's Office are also investigating.

JKS/KJS 6-24-13
Inc. #0789014513