Driver charged after confronting HPD officer

By PAIGE HEWITT
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Nov. 1, 2010, 12:38PM

A suspected drunk driver who was shot by a police officer after he fought with the lawman during a traffic stop on U.S. 59 has been charged in the case.

Ricardo Salazar-Limon, 25, is charged with resisting arrest and driving while intoxicated after he became confrontational when Officer C.C. Thompson pulled him over in the 4000 block of the southbound Southwest Freeway near Kirby about 11:50 p.m. Friday, police said.

In fear of his safety, police said, Thompson shot Salazar-Limon during the confrontation.

Salazar-Limon was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital. Police did not release his condition except to say he was stable.

Thompson was not injured.

When Thompson pulled over a white pickup for allegedly speeding, Salazar-Limon, who was one of four people in the truck, smelled of alcohol, said Jodi Silva, a spokeswoman for the Houston Police Department. He became confrontational, police said, reaching for his waistband and lunging at the patrolman.

The two got into a fight, during which Thompson was almost forced over a freeway retaining wall. Salazar-Limon then fled toward his truck, officials said.

Thompson, who has been with Houston Police Department for four years, ordered him to stop, but Salazar-Limon refused. Thompson fired one shot, hitting him.

As is customary in Houston police officer-involved shootings within the city, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs divisions and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

paige.hewitt@chron.com

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/7271168.html