2009 - Officer-involved Shootings

Review sought on Houston-area police shootings

In 2009 there were 64 officer-involved shootings, resulting in 27 civilians killed and 37 wounded. Statistics for each agency are as follows:

Law Enforcement Agency
Killed
Wounded
Houston PD
15
17
HCSO
3
3
Pasadena PD
2
5
Pct. 3
0
1
Pct. 4
1
0
Pct. 5
0
1
Pct. 6
1
2
Pct. 7
0
1
Hedwig Village PD
1
0
Humble PD
1
1
Metro PD
1
2
Webster PD
1
1
South Houston PD
0
1
TABC
0
2
U.S. Customs
1
0

64. 12/26/09 - Jason Turner, 27, killed when shot by Precinct 4 deputy constable Andres Rosas, who had responded to a domestic disturbance call. After a brief car chase, Turner returned to the home of his ex-girlfriend and shot several times through the door. Police say he then turned and pointed the gun at Rosas, saying that he would kill him unless Rosas shot him first. Rosas ordered him to drop the gun and get on the ground; just then a woman ran from the house. Turner allegedly pointed his gun at the woman, then at Rosas, who then shot him several times. Turner is the 27th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

63. 12/25/09 - Oscar Hernandez, h/m, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer M. Martin.

62. 12/21/09 - Victor Pineda, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officers R. Simpson and R. Watson. A homeowner had called police to report his home was being burglarized. As police arrived, the three burglars tried to escape through a back window. An officer confronted them and said Pineda pointed a gun at him; the officer shot at him, but missed. As Pineda ran around the side of the house, he met the second officer, who claims Pineda pointed his gun at him. As both officers fired, Pineda was struck once in the chest. Pineda is the 26th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

61. 12/7/09 - Nicholas John Schaefer, w/m, 44 and mentally ill, wounded when shot in the arm by 8-mo. rookie Houston PD officer K. Waymire, after he and two other officers responded to a caller who allegedly reported a "suspicious male" with a weapon. Claiming Schaefer pointed the "weapon" at the officers, who had taken cover, Waymire shot him. There was no weapon; Schaefer had a hairbrush. Police say Schaefer made the 911 call, who had threatened suicide before making the call. (media reports)

60. 11/23/09 - Jeffrey Wayne Gullo, wounded when shot by Metro PD officer Dalton Hughes Jr.

59. 11/22/09 - William Neal Terral Jr.

w/m, 53 and mentally ill, killed during shootout with Pasadena PD officers Joshua L. Ridings, 25 (a rookie of a few months), and D.R. Shechter. Terral, a fugitive wanted for sexual assault of children, was reported to be at Dunkin' Donuts. When officers arrived, Ridings approached Terral, who pulled a gun, and shot s were exchanged. Terral was not hit, but Ridings was struck in the arm and shoulder. Shechter then retrieved a rifle from his patrol car and shot Terral through the window. It is reported that a surveillance camera shows that Terral shot himself in the head immediately prior to Schechter shooting him. Terral's father believes police should have approached him differently because he warned them that he was suicidal and his son said if he was confronted by police, one of them would die. Terral is the 25th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

58. 11/14/09 - Jose Ruben Andino, killed when shot by Houston PD officer James Crawford, an 11-yr. vet. Officers received information that a home invasion was planned, and began conducting surveillance there. They saw a "suspicious" vehicle in the area. When they tried to stop the car, a short chase followed, then the driver got out holding a gun, according to police. He allegedly pointed the gun at Crawford, who shot Andino, hitting him at least once. Andino is the 24th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

57. 11/8/09 - John Eric Owens, b/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer C.F. Rohling, a 5-yr. vet assigned to North Patrol Div. Rohling responded to a burglar alarm and got a description of the burglar from a witness. When he later saw Owens, who allegedly fit the description, he ordered him to show his hands. Rohling claims he instead put his hands in his sweater pockets and began backing away. Rohling pulled his gun and claims Owens then drew a gun and pointed it at him. Rohling grabbed for the gun, they struggled, and Rohling shot him "at least one time," and dropped his gun. He claims Owens then took both guns and ran, but dropped the guns as he fled. (media reports)

56. 11/7/09 - Thomas Rangel, 26, killed when shot by Houston PD officer J.F. Lucero. a 7-yr. vet assigned to the Gang Div. Rangel and 2 other men were walking through a convenience store's parking lot, where they had apparently purchased some beer. One of the men was holding an open can of beer (Class C misdemeanor), and the officers began searching them for weapons. As Lucero searched Rangel, he claims Rangel struggled with him and pulled a pistol from his waistband. Lucero shot him several times. Rangel is the 23rd person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

55. 10/25/09 - Joshua Gwyn, 18, wounded when shot by Pct. 3 deputy constables Adam Garcia and Milton Rivera. Officers tried to stop Gwyn for speeding, and a 15-min. chase ensued. Gwyn finally stopped, but officers claim he tried to run over them when they approached his car. Both officers fired several times; Gwyn was hit in the left shoulder. (media reports)

54. 10/14/09 - Robert Brock II, w/m, killed when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy M.C. Ivy. Officers responded to a caller who said Brock was threatening his wife with a gun at a Taco Bell. When they arrived, Brock left in his pickup and drove a short distance to his home. Officers followed, and surrounded his truck when Brock pulled into his driveway. Claiming he made a suspicious move, Ivy shot Brock through the window of his truck, killing him. Brock is the 22nd person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

53. 10/12/09 - Taylor O. Williams, 21, wounded when shot by off-duty Pct. 7 deputy constable T.M. Roe and San Jacinto Sheriff's deputy P.E. Sowell. Williams was at a strip club and began dancing on stage with the dancers. He was removed from the club. As the officers (who were working as security guards at the club) approached him in the parking lot, they claim he pulled a gun from the trunk of his car, and fired toward them. Both officers then shot at him, striking Williams in the side and buttock. (media reports)

52. 10/9/09 - Jose Oseguera, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officer M.J. Marin, a 2-yr. veteran. When officers responded to an assault call, they saw Oseguera stabbing his girlfriend on an apartment balcony. As they climbed the stairs to the balcony, a neighbor tried to intervene in the stabbing, but was himself stabbed. Marin fired twice at Oseguera, who then turned toward the officers. Marin fired again, hitting Oseguera in the head, killing him. The neighbor also died at the scene. Oseguera is the 21st person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

51. 9/28/09 - Pedro Acuna, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer G.E. Polk (13-yr. vet, Westside Patrol). When Polk saw a car that looked like one reported stolen, he ordered the driver to show his hands. Instead, he claims Acuna reached for a gun in his waistband. Polk shot him several times, hitting Acuna in abdomen and hand. (media reports)

50. 9/27/09 - Juan Martinez, h/m, 18, wounded when shot by South Houston PD officer M.J. Garcia. Police say Martinez was driving a stolen car, and refused to stop, instead leading leading them on a chase through the small city. He crashed, then allegedly tried to run over Garcia, who shot him in the left shoulder. (media reports)

49. 9/19/09 - Nicolas Bustos, h/m, 18, wounded when shot by Precinct 6 reserve deputy constable D. Villareal, working off-duty as a security guard. Villareal saw Bustos and three other males inside his car, apparently stealing items from it, and shouted for them to stop. Bustos ran and allegedly reached under his shirt. Villareal claimed he feared for his life, and shot him. Bustos was not armed. (media reports)

48. 9/19/09 - Gary Rick Varner, w/m, 49, killed when shot by Houston PD officer Richard L. Kent (7-yr. vet, Tactical Operations Div.) Neighbors complained that Varner had threatened them. When officers arrived, Varner barricaded himself in his home. SWAT officers were called and, after 2 hours, Varner allegedly pointed a gun at them; he was shot once and killed by Kent. Varner is the 20th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

See also: 01/11/09 - Kent kills Stephen Paul Greene; and

07/31/07 - Kent kills Reginald Lee Sumbler.

47. 9/17/09 - Jose Angel Reyes, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer M.S. Baccus (15-yr. vet, narcotics div.) Officers were serving a search and arrest warrant, and had forcefully entered Reyes' apartment. As Baccus was walking down the hallway, Reyes allegedly tried to grab his gun. Claiming he feared for his life, Baccus shot Reyes in the abdomen. (media reports)

45. & 46. 9/11/09 - Santos Soto Diaz, h/m, 23, and unidentified man, wounded when shot by off-duty TABC officer Michael R. Sehon. 40, who was escorting a jewelry salesman. They stopped briefly at a hotel and, while Sehon waited in his car, he was approached by Diaz and several other men, who robbed him. They exchanged gunfire, and Sehon was shot in the leg. All the men got away, but Diaz and an unidentified man were later arrested. Both had been shot - Diaz, in the back. (media reports)

44. 9/11/09 - Michael Darrell Rollerson, b/m, 25, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer L. Bookman Jr. (8-mo. rookie, North Patrol Div.), who said he saw Rollerson run a stop sign. He followed Rollerson to a residential driveway, where Rollerson and a passenger got out of the car. Bookman ordered them to show their hands, but Rollerson allegedly put his hands behind his back, then brought them forward toward the officer. Bookman claimed he feared for his life, so he shot him - twice, in the leg. Rollerson did not have a weapon. (media reports)

42. & 43. 9/8/09 - Gustavo Garcia, h/m, and Manuel Uribe, h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD Lt. R.E. Hendricks (19-yr. vet assigned to Robbery Div.), who was working off-duty patrolling the Tanglewood area. As he sat in his unmarked car, two men with guns approached him in an alleged robbery attempt. Hendricks was apparently able to shoot the men from his car, wounding both of them. Although at least one of the men shot at Hendricks, he was not injured. (media reports)

41. 8/21/09 - Sergio Robles

h/m, 24 and known to be mentally ill, critically wounded when shot in the head by Pasadena PD officer R. Barrionuevo. PPD officer Jesse Hamilton had responded to a domestic disturbance call placed by Robles' mother, who reported that Robles suffered from schizophrenia; she had previously called MHMRA, but they were unable to provide any help. When Hamilton saw Robles with a gun, he called for backup. Minutes later, he was shot in the head by Robles. Another officer returned fire, striking Robles in the head. Hamilton was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. (Robles had just been released from the Harris County jail; records indicate that while in jail, he received no medication for his mental illness.) (media reports)

40. 8/19/09 - Reginald A. Moore, 19, killed when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy T.J. Lobos. Moore had stabbed 2 adult relatives and a baby. When Lobos responded to a 911 call he found Moore standing in the middle of the street with a knife. He told him several times to put the knife down; Moore instead began walking toward him. Lobos shot him several times. Moore is the 19th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

39. 8/18/09 - Billie Joe Garza

26, h/m, wounded when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputies A.C. Hulsey and Donald W. Tipps, who were trying to serve an arrest warrant on him. Garza refused to stop, but crashed his car when a tire blew out. Both he and the 16-yr. old girl with him ran, and deputies say Garza fell, jumped up, and fired at them as he ran. They returned fire, hitting Garza several times. The girl was not charged. (media reports)

See also: 03/22/08 - Tipps shoots and kills Brian Dunkle; and

06/09/05 - Tipps shoots and wounds Juan Jose Morales.

38. 8/7/09 - Brian Keith Lee, b/m, 21, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer R.B. Olive, North Patrol Div. (7-yr. vet). When narcotics officers entered Lee's apartment with a search warrant, they say Lee jumped through a window to escape. They say Lee refused to stay on the ground, and instead got up and charged at Olive. Claiming he feared for his life, Olive shot Lee, hitting him in the left arm. No weapon was reported to have been recovered. (media reports)

37. 8/1/09 - John Barnes

w/m, 39, killed when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer Ryan G. Gardiner (7-yr. vet, Northeast Patrol). Barnes and his wife were arguing outside their apartment when Gardiner, making his rounds as a security officer, came by. He ordered Barnes to get on the ground, and Barnes asked, "What for?" The two scuffled briefly, and Gardiner pulled out his Taser. Barnes' wife said he then slapped the Taser out of Gardiner's hand because he has a metal plate in his head and had a fear of being shot with a Taser. The two then backed away from each other, and Barnes allegedly leaned against his car with arms folded and said, "What are you going to do, shoot me?" His wife said, "When he was shot, he was leaning against the car, ... He didn't have anything in his hands. He wasn't a threat to him. He wasn't asked to get on the ground. He wasn't even given a warning. He just shot him." Gardiner shot him 5 times; he was no-billed by a grand jury. Barnes is the 18th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

Also see: 3/15/06 - Gardiner shoots Robert Paul Cantrell; and in

2006 - Gardiner was identified as the HPD officer that used his Taser more than any other officer.

36. 7/24/09 - Juan F. Salgado, h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officer W.G. Smith, an 11-yr. vet. When officers responded to a reported burglary of an apartment, Salgado climbed out through a window into the enclosed patio. A K-9 unit released the dog into the patio, and officers say Salgado began attacking the dog with a screwdriver. Smith then entered the patio area, and claims Salgado then attacked him with a screwdriver, so he shot him in the chest. Salgado is the 17th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

35. 7/23/09 - Teresa Dianne Parks aka Hunter, 51, wounded when shot by Precinct 5 deputy constable J.E. Lewis. Officers were trying to serve an arrest warrant and forced their way into her home. Parks barricaded herself in a room, then climbed out a window into the back yard and began climbing a fence. Claiming she had a shotgun, Lewis shot her in the back of her leg. (media reports)

34. 7/19/09 - Oscar Dario Sanchez-Reyes, h/m, 26, killed when shot by Webster PD officer Colin D. Murphy. Reyes, along with two companions, had robbed a bar in League City. A patron was able to call 911, and Webster PD responded to the call. The robbers' vehicle was stopped, and officers began chasing the suspects on foot. Police claim that Reyes fired at officers as he ran, and Murphy responded by firing 4 shots at him. Reyes was hit in the head; he died while being life-flighted to Hermann Hospital. Sanchez-Reyes is the 16th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

33. 7/14/09 - Tony Wayne Johnson, b/m, 29 and mentally ill, killed when shot multiple times by six Houston PD officers - Kevin D. Eichman, 35 (a 6-yr. vet); Edward T. Fendia, 31 (a 2-yr. vet); Darrell K. Marshall, 46 (a 2-yr. vet); Thomas M. Reese, 46 (a 15-yr. vet); Natividad G. Tovar III, 41 (a 13-yr. vet); and Domingo Villarreal Jr., 23 (a rookie of just one month). Johnson was naked and holding a gun to his head as Aldine ISD officers chased him. He then crashed his car into a gate at HPD's Northeast Patrol Div. Officers claim he shot at them as he got out of the car, and all six officers shot him. A family member said, “He was hurting. He was in a lot of pain. But he was a good person and people should know that...He just needed some help, some counseling. If you have a family member, look for the signs you know. He was very depressed.” Johnson is the 15th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

See also: 1/9/03 - Eichman shoots Vernis Dwayne Scott.

32. 6/23/09 - Roberto Pedroza Carrillo, h/m, 37, killed when shot twice by Houston PD officer Ruben Lopez, a 24-yr. vet assigned to Auto Theft Div. Undercover officers were meeting with Carrillo and three others to buy stolen auto parts. Carrillo suspected they were police officers, and shot Senior HPD officer Henry Canales in the head, killing him. Lopez then shot Carrillo. Carrillo is the 14th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

31. 6/17/09 - J. Garcia, wounded when shot by Harris County Sheriff's deputy D. Medina. Medina was fired in 2013 for sexual misconduct while on duty. (media reports)

See also, 6/7/12 - Medina shoots Jaime Gamboa as he surrenders;

11/4/11 - Medina shoots Quentin Russell and Octavius Marshall;

3/9/11 - Medina shoots Charles R. Roy Jr.; and

6/29/10 - Medina shoots Diego Castellanos.

30. 6/8/09 - Anthony Rogers, 24, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer M. Reyes. Rogers had allegedly stolen a pickup truck, and Reyes was chasing him. When Rogers came to a stop after hitting a utility pole, Reyes approached the truck from behind. He claims that Rogers then backed the truck in an attempt to hit him, so he fired several shots, hitting Rogers at least 3 times - once in the jaw and once in the leg. He was life-flighted to Hermann Memorial Hospital in serious condition. (media reports)

29. 6/5/09 - Angel Erevia Jr., h/m, 31 and unarmed, killed when shot by Harris County Precinct 6 reserve deputy constable Jose Castillo, 39 (a volunteer deputy for 14 years). Castillo was in a bar with Erevia's estranged wife, and Erevia was with a girlfriend. The two women began fighting, and Castillo fired his gun into the air. When Erevia "responded" (how he did so is not reported) Castillo shot him four times - once after he was already down, according to a witness. Erevia was hit in the back, stomach and arms. Castillo was fired and charged with murder. Erevia is the 13th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

Jose Castillo 

28. 5/26/09 - Ronald Lee Richardson, killed when shot by off-duty Humble PD officer J.G. Blanchard. Richardson shot his girlfriend in the shoulder as she tried to run from him. Blanchard was working nearby, and fired at least once at Richardson. After patrons of a nearby business pulled the girlfriend into the business and began helping her, they heard more gunshots from outside. (It is reported by the District Attorney's office that the officer's shots killed Richardson; Humble PD claims that ballistics tests showed Richardson died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Civilians Down reports only information received from the D.A. as being accurate.) Richardson is the 12th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

27. 5/23/09 - Andrew Criswell, killed when shot by Hedwig Village PD officer M. Sprinkle. Criswell is the 11th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (There are no media reports on this shooting; we will update when more information is obtained. CD)

26. 5/22/09 - Leslie Johnson, unarmed, wounded when shot in the leg by Harris County sheriff's deputy S. Hayes Jr. Hayes allegedly saw Johnson stealing from a convenience store, and confronted him. He claims Johnson threatened him, so he shot him. No weapon was reported to have been found. (media reports)

24. & 25. 5/16/09 - Jose Guadalupe Sanchez, h/m, 41, killed, and Joaquin E. Chabez, h/m, wounded when shot by off-duty Pasadena PD officer John E. Smith III. Upon arriving at a strip club, Smith saw Sanchez and Chabez arguing outside with the manager, who was a friend of his. He walked over to them, and claims the two men became confrontational with him. When a car pulled up, Chabez allegedly grabbed a gun from the car, and Smith shot him. He then says Sanchez began rummaging around in the back seat of the car, so he shot him, too, claiming he thought he had a gun. The driver of the car took both men to the hospital, where Sanchez was pronounced dead; Chabez had serious injuries to his hand. Smith is a 3-yr. veteran of Pasadena PD, and was previously a Detroit PD officer for 10 years. Sanchez is the 10th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

23. 5/16/09 - Jacob Raymond Medina, h/m, 21 and totally deaf, wounded when shot by Precinct 6 Constable's deputy Juan Pedraza. Medina was shooting his gun into the air from his porch, and Pedraza was sent to investigate. When ordered to put down the gun, police claim Medina refused, continued firing and pointed his gun at the deputy, who then shot him - in the back. (media reports)

22. 5/15/09 - Emmanuel A. Ajiodo II., h/m, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer Brandon W. Bailey, who responded to an assault call from neighbors claiming Ajiodo was beating his girlfriend. When Bailey arrived Ajiodo locked himself inside his car, and allegedly pulled a gun from under the seat. Bailey shot him in the side of the abdomen, but Ajiodo refused to get out of the car. A SWAT team was called, and Ajiodo finally surrendered after 4 hours. (media reports)

20. & 21. 5/5/09 - Corby Dean Bradford, 40, killed, and Guadalupe Acosta

Guadalupe Acosta

wounded when shot by Metro P.D. officer R.L. Harrington. Police initially claimed Acosta told a Metro motorcycle officer that she had been assaulted, and Bradford, who was standing nearby, was allegedly identified as the assailant. When the officer approached him, Bradford began walking away with his hands in his pockets, with the officer following. Backup was summoned, and the situation escalated as the two officers Tasered Bradford three times. Police say the Taser had no effect, and claim Bradford pulled out a knife and began lunging at them. But Acosta says she was unaware that Bradford was being chased by officers, and she was shot through the arm from behind as she pushed a toddler in a stroller. Harrington shot Bradford three times, once in the heart, killing him. One of the bullets apparently passed through Bradford and struck Acosta. Bradford is the 9th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

19. 5/2/09 - Luis M. Escobar, h/m, killed when shot by Harris County sheriff's deputy E.O. Goodney. When Goodney tried to stop Escobar for speeding, a chase ensued, with Escobar allegedly running a red light and hitting two vehicles. Goodney fired toward Escobar when he got out of his car, and Escobar ran. Goodney continued to shoot at Escobar as he ran, claiming that he feared for his life (although an HCSO spokesman said they didn't know why Goodney was fearful). Escobar collapsed and died; he did not have a weapon. Escobar is the 8th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

18. 4/24/09 - Jose Alfredo Vides

h/m, killed when shot by Houston PD officers M. Valle, Eric Tewes (both 2-yr. vets) and R. Stanfield (one-yr. vet), all of Southeast Patrol Division. Officers responded to a call about a "suspicious" man with a gun, and ordered Vides to drop the gun. He then allegedly began firing at the officers, who returned fire, killing him. Vides' cousin said he was upset because police failed to promptly respond to the theft of his wheel rims. Vides is the 7th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

On 8/7/09, Tewes shot at a civilian, but did not hit him; no charges were filed against the civilian. See, HPD news release

17. 4/20/09 - Jose Alexi Sorto, h/m, 29, killed when shot by Houston PD officer Xavier A. Flores (1-1/2 yr vet). When officers responded to a domestic disturbance call they found Sorto in the parking lot with two knives (one a machete). Flores approached him as he ordered him to get on the ground. Police claim that Sorto then lunged at Flores, who shot him at least once. Sorto is the 6th person known to have been shot to death this year by a Harris County police officer. (media reports)

16. 4/17/09 - Gerard Jonathan Barnett, wounded when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer Christopher L. Slater. Officers were investigating a parking lot disturbance involving several males when two men began shooting at them from across the street, then began running away. As the officers gave chase, Slater claimed he feared for his life and shot Barnett from behind, hitting him in the leg. (media reports)

See also: 3/3/00 - Slater shoots Tyson Demond Braxton.

15. 4/6/09 - Jordan Thomas Ayers

b/m, 25, critically wounded when shot in the jaw by Harris County Sheriff's deputy F. Fullbright. The deputy was working undercover investigating a car burglary ring and saw Ayers and a companion breaking into cars at the Town & Country campus of Houston CC. When Fullbright confronted them, they tried to run him down, knocking him onto the hood of their car. Fullbright fired through the windshield, hitting Ayers. (media reports)

14. 4/6/09 - Damon Marshall, 27, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer K.E. Smith (26-yr. vet, Fondren Patrol Div.) Marshall had robbed a drugstore and was in the parking lot when Smith ordered him to drop his gun. Marshall instead began running away, and Smith fired several shots, hitting him once in the buttock. (media reports)

13. 3/31/09 - Stephen L. Anderson, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer A. Vanderberry and TDPS officer Ralph Ohland.

12. 3/23/09 - Steven Moran

apparently mentally ill, wounded when shot by Webster PD officers T.A. Claunch, P.T. Bacon, J.A. Tovar and D. Vasquez. Moran was involved in a car accident; his father drove him to the hospital, and went inside to get help. When doctors and nurses came outside to assist him, Moran was lying on the ground and threatened to shoot the staff. Police were called, and Moran allegedly threatened to shoot them. After about an hour, officers claim he pointed something at them, and four officers shot him, striking him eight times. Moran was holding a flashlight. (media reports)

11. 3/19/09 - Lisa Vermillion, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer C.A. Curtis, a 9-yr. veteran assigned to Kingwood Patrol. Police had blocked a truck parked behind a truck stop because they suspected drug activity. When the driver of the truck pushed back the patrol car behind him with his truck, officers claim he then drove toward Curtis. As he fled, Curtis fired at the truck, hitting Vermillion in the leg, who was a passenger in the truck. Note: HPD policy prohibits officers from shooting at a fleeing vehicle unless a life is endangered; in this case, it appears Curtis shot into the passenger-side door as the truck passed him. (HPD news report)

10. 3/7/09 - Lonnie Charles Punch, b/m, 47, killed when shot by Houston PD officers J.F. Cadriel, a 22-year vet; Alejandro Gonzalez, a 10-year vet; Garry Parker, a 10-year vet; and C.P. Garner, a 15-year vet, all assigned to Southeast Patrol. Bunch was wanted for killing his estranged wife. When police saw him and tried to stop his vehicle, he refused to pull over. He drove into the driveway of his sister's home, where police claim he pointed a shotgun at them. All four officers then opened fire, killing him. Bunch is the 5th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

9. 3/5/09 - Wifido Joel Alfaro

h/m, 29, killed when shot by Houston PD narcotics officers Marshum D. Sinegal, a 10-yr. vet; Carlos R. Cantu, a 12-yr. vet; and Brenda K. McCord, a 13-yr. vet. The officers were executing a no-knock search warrant at Alfaro's home to search for drugs, and say they announced themselves as police as they entered. As officer Richard Salter stepped inside, Alfaro shot him in the jaw, critically injuring him. The other three officers opened fire on Alfaro, killing him. Police describe a surveillance system at the Alfaro home as "elaborate" and indicative of drug dealing; the family says it was installed because their home had previously been burglarized. Alfaro's wife states that because the officers were dressed in black and wore ski masks, they feared for their lives and Alfaro was merely defending his family. No drugs were found in the home. Alfaro is the 4th person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

8. 2/25/09 - Jasmine L. Flowers, b/f, wounded when shot by off-duty Houston PD officer S. De La Cruz, who was working as security at a nightclub. He claims that as he was directing traffic from the parking lot, Flowers shot at him from the car in which she was a passenger. He shot at the car as it fled. (media reports)

7. 2/9/09 - Travis Balko, 28 and known to be mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD officers C.M. Holloway, D.M. Rodriguez, D.D. Moore and P.F. Karmout. Residents of an apartment complex called 911 to report a man walking around with a shotgun. When the police arrived Balko had returned to his apartment, and refused to come out, saying he wanted them to leave. He also texted a friend and said he was thinking of killing himself; the friend reported this to the police, and came to the scene. Balko then came out of his apartment; the officers claim he began raising the shotgun toward them, and they shot him. Balko is the 3rd person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

6. 2/9/09 - Dante Terrell Williams, wounded when shot by Houston PD officers M.L. Wisnoskie and L. Cortinas. Williams and an accomplice were leaving a video store that they had just robbed when police arrived. The officers claim Williams pulled a shotgun from his waistband; both officers shot at him, and one of the bullets grazed Williams' foot. (media reports)

See also: 1/24/06 - Wisnoskie and other officers kill Jesse Isaac Sarabia.

5. 2/2/09 - Travis A. Chambers, b/m, 18, wounded when shot by Houston PD officer T.B. Cooper, who responded to a call about a man walking around the apartment complex (where Cooper was working security) with a shotgun. When officers ordered Chambers to drop his rifle, they claim that Chambers instead pointed the gun at them, and Cooper shot him.

4. 1/30/09 - David E. Toliver, killed when shot by off-duty U.S. Customs/Border Patrol agent Ivan T. Young, who was making a purchase in a liquor store when Toliver entered, allegedly for the purpose of robbing the store. When Toliver pointed a gun and told everyone to get on the floor, Young drew his weapon and ordered Toliver to drop his gun. Police claim Toliver instead pointed his gun at Young, who then shot him. Toliver is the 2nd person known to have been shot to death this year by a police officer in Harris County. (media reports)

3. 1/19/09 - Julie Parker

w/f, 33 and known to be mentally ill, critically injured when shot by Houston PD Sgt. M.S. O'Neil (a 23-yr. vet). Parker went to her father's work place with a toy gun and bow and arrow (her mother stated that she has religious delusions and thought her father was evil). When an employee tried to stop her after she entered, Parker shot him with the bow and arrow. Two other employees then shot her several times. When police arrived and tried to enter the room where she was hiding, officer O'Niel claims she pointed the bow and arrow at him and refused to put it down, and he shot her several times. Parker's mother said she was released from Austin State Hospital six weeks ago, and she told Austin police at that time what Parker was planning. She said they told her they "couldn't act until something happened." The person she shot with an arrow was treated and released from the hospital. (media reports)

2. 1/11/09 - Stephen Paul Greene, w/m, 54 and mentally ill, killed when shot by Houston PD SWAT officers M.S. Scales (29-yr. vet), Richard L. Kent (17-yr. vet) and Julian D. Coleman (27-yr. vet). When Greene told family members he wanted to kill himself, they called police. Instead of sending an officer from the Critical Incident Team (established in 1999 to respond to incidents involving a mentally ill person), a SWAT team responded to the family's request for help. When Greene came to the front door with a pistol in his hand, the three officers opened fire on him, claiming he raised the gun in their direction. Greene's gun was never fired. Greene is the 1st person known to have been shot to death this year by Harris County police officers. (media reports)

See also: 9/19/09 - Kent kills Gary Rick Varner;

7/31/07 - Kent and other HPD officers shoot and kill Reginald Lee Sumbler; and

6/10/99 - Coleman and other SWAT officers kill Demetrio Martine Hernandez.

1. 1/3/09 - Raymond J. Daniels, 28, wounded when shot by Pasadena PD officer D.L. Johnson-Wright after she stopped him for a traffic violation. As Johnson-Wright approached Daniels' car, he got out of the car and began walking toward her. Johnson-Wright told him to stop, but he kept coming. She tried to Taser him, but missed. She then drew her gun, and Daniels tried to take it from her. She managed to pull away, then fired once, hitting Daniels in the shoulder. Johnson-Wright suffered a broken finger. (media reports)