POLICE Department
Investigation into Incident at 1900 Indiana
October 9, 2015 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an HPD officer discharged his duty weapon at an armed suspect in the 1900 block of Indiana about 11:45 a.m. on Thursday (Oct. 8).
The armed male suspect, 15, was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening wounds. He has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on the charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer. In addition, three other males, ages 16, 17, and 18, have been detained and face various pending charges in relation to this incident.
The HPD officer who discharged his duty weapon, Sergeant J. Yencha, was not injured in this incident. He was sworn in as an officer in March 1982 and is assigned to the HPD Narcotics Division.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant H. Garcia and Senior Police Officer R. Nunez reported:
Sergeant Yencha, in full uniform and in an unmarked vehicle, left an approved extra job and stopped his vehicle in the 1900 block of Indiana. When he pulled over, a dark-colored sedan with multiple occupants pulled in front of him and also stopped. One suspect exited the vehicle and ran towards the sergeant while pointing a pistol at the sergeant's head. The sergeant identified himself as a police officer several times. The armed suspect continued advancing and, fearing for his life, the sergeant discharged his duty weapon more than once. The driver of the suspect vehicle then fled the scene with the armed suspect following on foot.
Several minutes later, officers responded to a shooting call in the 200 block of Webster in which an individual matched the description of the armed suspect in the incident on Indiana. Responding officers detained the four suspects listed above. A stolen vehicle and a firearm were recovered in the area in which the suspects were detained. The stolen vehicle had been taken in an aggravated robbery earlier that day.
As is customary when an HPD officer discharges his duty weapon, wounding a suspect, this incident will be investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Inc. #1130282515
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
