Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a suspect by an HPD officer at 7400 Scott Street about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday (May 14).
The identity of the deceased male, 30, is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Officer J. Goff, who discharged his duty weapon in the incident, was not injured. Officer Goff is assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in May 2018.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant J. Hekimian and Officers J. Snook, N. Arellano, W. Elliott and D. Morrison reported:
Officer Goff responded to a suspicious person with a weapon call and, upon arrival, observed the suspect sitting at a Metro bus stop in the 7200 block of Scott Street. When Officer Goff gave the suspect verbal commands to cooperate, the suspect got up from the bus stop bench and began to approach the officer. As the suspect approached, Officer Goff retreated behind his patrol vehicle to keep a barrier between himself and the suspect. Officer Goff moved around his vehicle in an effort to create distance between them as the suspect continued to approach.
The officer saw what appeared to be a weapon inside the suspect’s front pocket of his hoodie sweater. Officer Goff gave the suspect numerous commands not to reach for the weapon. As additional officers arrived on scene, the suspect turned to Officer Goff, took an aggressive stance and reached for his weapon. Officer Goff, in fear of his safety, discharged his duty weapon and struck the suspect. The suspect was found to be in possession of a BB gun replica of a 9 mm Beretta.
Paramedics transported the suspect to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
As is customary when an HPD officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigation Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
JKS/JFC 5-15-20
Inc. #063946620