May 21, 2021 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by HPD officers at 9400 Bissonnet Street at about 1:25 a.m. today (May 21).

The identity of the male suspect is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Sergeant R. Rivera and Officers M. Alfaro, R. McLemore and C. Smajstrla, who discharged their duty weapons, are all assigned to the South Gessner Patrol Division. Sergeant Rivera was sworn in as an officer in August 2015, Officer Alfaro was sworn in as an officer in August 2017, Officer Mclemore was sworn in as an officer in May 2019 and Officer Smajstrla was sworn in as an officer in December 2016.  

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Detectives O. Flores, V. Praxedes, T. Vaca and N. Alvarado reported:

An HPD officer travelling northbound on South Gessner Road noticed two vehicles, a green Ford truck and a black sedan, speeding southbound on Gessner.  The officer then turned around and followed behind the green truck, which turned westbound on Bissonnet and ran past two red lights without stopping.  The officer then initiated a traffic stop at the above address and, as they stopped, the officer observed the occupants of the vehicle make furtive movements inside their vehicle.  The officer then called for additional officers to assist him.

After additional officers arrived, the male and female inside the vehicle stated they were driving fast to get away from someone shooting at them because of a road rage incident in which they were involved.  As officers were conducting their investigation, Sergeant Rivera noticed a male (suspect) crossing Bissonnet and walking toward the officers. The male initiated an interaction with the officers on the scene, during which he brandished a pistol and pointed it at the officers. This led to all four officer on the scene to react to the threat and discharge their firearms. The suspect was struck several times and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital by Houston Fire Department paramedics where he was pronounced deceased.

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





JKS/VHS 5-21-21
Inc. #067552021