HPD Officers Fatally Shoot Suspect During Struggle Over Officer’s Firearm

On January 6, 2025, Houston Police Patrol Officers responded to a burglary of a motor vehicle call in the 7300 block of Caddo Road. The suspect was reported to be armed with a sharp object. Officers arrived in the area, located the suspect and attempted to make contact with him. The suspect fled on foot and attempted to evade officers. Officers pursued the suspect on foot and, after a short pursuit, tried to detain him. The suspect refused to comply with officers and actively resisted. During the struggle, the suspect got on top of one of the officers as they fell to the ground. The suspect then grabbed the officer’s duty weapon and, as he attempted to remove it from the holster, he fired a shot while the weapon was still holstered. Officer Avila heard the gunshot, discharged his duty weapon at least twice and the suspect was struck. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the suspect deceased. No officers were injured.