July 22, 2020 - Houston police are investigating the shooting of a suspect by an HPD officer after the suspect fired shots at officers during a vehicle pursuit that ended at 3300 Old Spanish Trail about 12:50 a.m. today (July 22).

The suspect, Juan Pablo Chapa (H/m, 30), was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

Officer N. Faiura, who discharged a duty weapon, was not injured.  Officer Faiura was sworn in as an officer in May 2018 and is assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division. 

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant G. Rodgers and Officers R. Lujan, M. Resnick, J. Brown and J. Hartnett reported:

Officer Faiura was riding as a passenger with a partner officer driving a marked HPD patrol vehicle when they attempted to pull over a white Ford Explorer for failing to stop at a stop sign. The Ford's driver ignored the officer’s signals to pull over and began to actively evade arrest in a motor vehicle.  The officer driving the patrol vehicle pursued the Ford and provided the direction of travel over the police radio, requesting assistance from backup officers.

Officers pursued the vehicle for several minutes and several miles. During the pursuit, the Ford's driver, later identified as Chapa, began to fire a weapon at officers.  Officers continued to cautiously pursue, but Chapa fired several more times at them.  Fearing for his life, the life of his partner and other units in the vehicle pursuit, Officer Faiura drew his duty rifle and returned fire, striking Chapa numerous times, causing Chapa to lose control of his vehicle and crash into an electrical pole at the above address. 

Officers performed a high risk traffic stop and began to give verbal commands.  Chapa then exited his vehicle with no weapon in his hand and continued to evade on foot until he later surrendered without further incident, about 100 yards from the crash scene.  Officers observed that Chapa had sustained several gunshot wounds.  The officers immediately administered first aid and paramedics transported Chapa to Memorial Hermann Hospital with life-threatening injuries. 

Officers found a .223 rifle in plain sight within Chapa’s vehicle.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the HPD Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.




JFC/KJS    7-22-20
Inc #096061020