Armed Suspect Wounded at 12109 Westheimer

May 17, 2010 - Charges are pending against an armed suspect wounded by a Houston police officer at 12109 Westheimer about 8:35 p.m. on Sunday (May 16).

The suspect, Jeffrey Marlon Peterson (b/m, DOB: 3-5-73) is facing a charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer. He was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he remains in critical, but stable condition.

Officer E. Garza, who discharged his weapon, was not injured. Officer Garza was sworn in as an officer in July 2006 and is assigned to the Westside Patrol Division. Officer D. Alexander, also assigned to the Westside Patrol Division, was present but did not discharge her weapon. She was not injured in this incident.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Williams and Officer M. Khan reported:

Officer Garza attempted to stop Peterson for a traffic violation. Upon stopping, Peterson became uncooperative, belligerent, and refused to answer questions. He was then asked to exit the vehicle and upon exiting, he charged Officer Garza. Peterson then grabbed the officer’s radio and attempted to hit him with it. Officer Garza deployed his Conducted Energy Device (CED) in an attempt to subdue Peterson, but it had no effect. Officer Alexander then arrived on scene and deployed her CED, also unsuccessfully. Peterson then ran back to his vehicle and retrieved a handgun and pointed it at Officer Garza. Both Officers Garza and Alexander ordered Peterson to drop his weapon, but he refused and continued to point the weapon at Officer Garza. Officer Garza, in fear of his life, discharged his duty weapon at least one time.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

JKS/JFC 5-17-10
Inc #070469710

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.