Incident at 10441 Westheimer November 14, 2007 - Houston police homicide investigators have released surveillance photos of a female suspect wanted in the shooting of a cab driver at 10441 Westheimer about 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 13). The suspect, armed with a silver automatic pistol, is described as a light-skinned black female, 25 to 30 years of age, with a medium to heavy build. She was wearing oversized glasses, a long-sleeved, pullover hooded "Apple Bottoms" sweatshirt, and a multi-colored polo shirt underneath. Surveillance photos of the suspect are attached to this news release. The victim, a subcontractor for Yellow Cab Inc., is identified as Derick Bernard Byers, 39, of 4835 Ravenbridge. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head and is in critical condition at Ben Taub General Hospital. HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Cruz and Officers D. Vasquez and J. Selvera reported: Mr. Byers was driving his taxicab and dispatched to 6734 Sidney Street in southeast Houston. There, Byers picked up a female customer (the suspect) from this location. During the course of the cab ride, the suspect produced a pistol and shot Byers in the back of the head. The suspect then proceeded to push or kick Byers out of the cab at 10441 Westheimer and fled the scene. Byers was found lying on the parking lot of a Chase Bank at the Westheimer location. Paramedics transported Byers to Ben Taub General Hospital where he underwent surgery. During the scene investigation, it was learned the taxicab was found abandoned at 9850 Pagewood at the Westchase Forest Townhomes. Homicide investigators have learned there were four other robberies of cab drivers in the southeast Houston area, all happened earlier the same day (Tuesday). In three of the incidents, the suspect was described as a lone black female, while in one other instance there were two black female suspects. Investigators are working to determine whether the crimes were committed by the same female suspect captured in the surveillance photos. Anyone with information on the identity of the wanted female suspect is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. JFC/GO 11-14-07 For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |
