Charges have been filed against a suspect who assaulted a Houston police officer and was then shot by the officer at 111 Yale Street about 12:40 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 31).
The suspect, Christian Taylor Graham (b/m, 23), is charged with assault of a peace officer in the 182nd State District Court. A booking photo of Graham, who remains hospitalized in stable condition, is not available at this time.
The officer who discharged her weapon, M. Cooper, was not seriously injured. She was sworn in as an HPD officer in July 2018 and is assigned to the Downtown Patrol Division.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Officers E. Contreras, D. Hobson, M. Glover and O. Flores reported:
Officer Cooper arrived at the business at the above address to use the restroom. While inside the store, the officer was alerted by employees that a male was shoplifting. Officer Cooper saw the male walk past the point of sale and toward the front exit and she followed, giving him several verbal commands to stop. The male ignored the officer’s commands and walked out the front doors as Officer Cooper followed. The officer again ordered the male to stop, when he suddenly turned and lunged at the officer. Officer Cooper attempted to control the suspect, however he attacked the officer, striking her several times on the head and upper body. The two then fell to the ground. As Officer Cooper was lying on her back, the suspect was on top of her, continuously striking her on her upper body and head. When a store employee attempted to pull the suspect off the officer, the suspect turned and ran after the employee. Officer Cooper was able to get on her feet and she ran toward the suspect. When the officer ordered the man to stop, he turned and swiped at the officer’s gun, striking the front of her duty weapon. Officer Cooper gave the suspect another command to stop and he again lunged at her. Officer Cooper, in fear of her life, then discharged her duty weapon one time, striking the male on his left leg. Paramedics transported the suspect to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with additional information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Special Investigations Unit at 713-308-3600,
As is customary in HPD officer involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit, the HPD Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
JFC/VHS 11-2-20
Inc #144405520