August 22, 2024 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in an incident in which a Houston Police officer discharged his weapon at a suspect at 10314 East Freeway (East Interstate Highway 10) about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday (August 21).

The suspect, Eric Meza, 20, is charged with theft in the 263rd State District Court. A second suspect, Nathan Ybarra, 20, is charged with felony evading arrest in a motor vehicle in the same court. Booking photos of both suspects are attached to this news release.

HPD Officer I. Sosa-Castillo, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in the incident. Officer Castillo is assigned to the Downtown Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in October 2017.

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Glover and Detectives J. Windham and A. Henderson reported:

HPD patrol officers observed an auto theft-in progress and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect(s). The suspect (Meza) drove toward an officer and Officer Sosa-Castillo discharged his duty weapon at the suspect vehicle, causing it to become disabled. Meza was not struck, then fled on foot across the freeway. Ybarra fled in the stolen vehicle. Both suspects were detained a short time later by responding HPD patrol officers.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit and the Internal Affairs Division.