October 2, 2023 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of an armed male suspect by an HPD officer at 6767 Bennington Street about 8:50 p.m. last Friday (September 29).

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

Officer T. Hitz who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured. He was sworn in as an officer in August 2017 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant S. Dau and Detectives H. Le, D. Hammons, and M. Childs reported:

Officers with the Northeast Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team were conducting an investigation at the above address. During the investigation, Officer Hitz encountered the suspect armed with an assault rifle-style weapon. The suspect pointed the weapon at the officer, and fearing for his life, the officer fired at the suspect, striking him at least one time. Officers administered first aid to the suspect before Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him deceased.

As part of the investigation, officers detained seven adult males and one juvenile male. They were all interviewed and released with no charges filed at this time.

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