April 6, 2015 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an HPD officer discharged his duty weapon at a suspect in the 11900 block of the South Sam Houston Parkway West about 4:40 p.m. last Thursday (April 2).

The male suspect, Derron Anthony Livingston, (b/m, 26), is charged with evading arrest/detention and felon in possession of a weapon the 182nd State District Court. Livingston suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. A photo of suspect Livingston is attached to this news release.


Senior Police Officer C. Sanders, who discharged his duty weapon, is assigned to the HPD Traffic Enforcement Division. Officer Sanders was sworn in as an officer in February 1993. He suffered chest pains immediately following this incident and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he was treated and released. Officer E. Garza, also assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Division, suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the arm and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he was treated and released. Officer Garza was sworn in as an officer in July 2006.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant T. Ruland and Officer R. Klementich reported:

Officers Sanders and Garza were near the intersection of Beechnut and the Southwest Freeway (South U. S. Highway 59) and saw a red Cadillac DTS, driven by Livingston, commit a traffic violation in the same area. Officers activated their emergency equipment and attempted a traffic stop on the Cadillac. Livingston refused to stop and sped away from officers. Officers then initiated a vehicle pursuit. At one point, Livingston drove the wrong way on the service road of the Sam Houston Parkway, jumped out of the vehicle while it was still in motion and then fled into a wooded area.

Officers Sanders and Garza exited their patrol vehicle and pursued the suspect on foot into the wooded area. At some point, the suspect bent down and it appeared to officers he was reaching for and producing an unknown weapon. Fearing for his and his partner's safety, Officer Sanders discharged his duty weapon at the suspect and inadvertently struck Officer Garza in the arm. The round also struck Officer Garza's vest, and the shrapnel from the round struck Livingston in the lower back. Livingston was then taken into custody without further incident and transported to the hospital. Officers Sanders and Garza were also transported to the hospital.

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 Attorney's Office.

VHS/JFC 4-6-15
Inc. #041179515