March 9, 2022 - Houston police have learned a suspect who fired shots at HPD officers and was then shot by officers at 7800 Tidwell Road about 8:40 a.m. on February 27 has died.

The male suspect, Marcelo Alfredo Suarez, 24, was pronounced deceased on Sunday (March 6).

The three HPD officers who discharged their weapons were P. Foster of the Tactical Operations Division, and D. Jenkins and C. Welch of the Northeast Patrol Division.  Officer Foster was sworn in as an officer in April 2008, Officer Welch in May 2017 and Officer Jenkins in May 2019.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant J. Hekimian and Detectives N. Arellano, V. Nguyen and C. Walker reported:

The suspect stole a man's vehicle at gunpoint in the southwest area of Houston and fled the area. Officers from the Northeast Patrol Station and K-9 Units received information from a dispatcher about the robbery and vehicle.  A K-9 unit officer (Foster) spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle with his lights and sirens.  The suspect ignored the officer and a pursuit ensued.  Other officers from Northeast Patrol assisted in the pursuit.  The officers followed the suspect to the 7800 block of Tidwell Road where the suspect got out of the stolen vehicle and fled on foot.  During the foot pursuit, the suspect discharged his weapon towards the officers and K-9 Nate.  At that time, the three officers returned fire and struck the suspect.  Paramedics transported the suspect to the hospital in critical condition. 

One officer sustained a minor injury.  The two other officers and K-9 Nate were not injured.

The following day (Feb. 28), Suarez was charged in the incident with two counts of aggravated assault against a peace officer in the 176th State District Court.

On March 6, doctors pronounced Suarez deceased at Ben Taub General Hospital. 

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



Update: JFC/VHS  3-9-22
JFC    2-27-22
Inc #026241122