Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the shooting of a Houston police officer at 200 Northpines Drive about 11:25 a.m. on Monday (July 5).
The suspect, Michael Zachary Howard-Dale (w/m, 26), is charged by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office with aggravated assault against a public servant.
A Montgomery County Jail booking photo of Howard-Dale is attached to this news release.
HPD Senior Police Officer S. Cleveland suffered gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen and was transported to HCA-Houston Healthcare Kingwood in critical, but stable condition. Officer Cleveland is assigned to the Kingwood Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in November 2009.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant P. Buttitta and Detectives J. Moreno, B. Bertrand and C. Walker reported:
HPD patrol officers responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex at the above address and spoke with a tenant who stated she was spit on in the face by a male, later identified as Howard-Dale, who lived in another apartment in the complex. Officers went to Howard-Dale’s apartment and made contact with him.
Officers asked for Howard-Dale’s identification and he refused to comply. Stating they simply needed to complete the report, officers again asked for Howard-Dale’s identification and he refused a second time, Officers attempted to detain Howard-Dale, which led to a physical altercation inside the apartment.
During the altercation, Howard-Dale produced a pistol and fired several times, striking Officer Cleveland in the arm and abdomen. The officer’s ballistic vest successfully stopped the round in the abdomen. The officer was then transported by Houston Fire Department paramedics to the hospital where he is expected to undergo surgery and recover. Howard-Dale was detained at the scene and subsequently charged for his role in the incident. No officers discharged a weapon.
Michael Zachary Howard-Dale
VHS/JFC 7-6-21
Inc. #090534021