POSTED: Sunday, October 31, 2010
UPDATED: 10:21 am CDT October 31, 2010

HOUSTON -- An officer shot a driver during an altercation following a traffic stop in southwest Houston, police said.

Investigators said the shooting occurred at about midnight in the 4000 block of the Southwest Freeway near Weslayan on Saturday.

Police said Officer Charlie Thompson observed a pickup truck speeding over 80 mph.

Thompson proceeded to stop the vehicle and smelled alcohol on the driver, police said.

There were four people in the truck -- the driver and three passengers, officials said.

Police said the driver was asked to get out of the truck, but then made movements to his waistband.

Police said the driver began to argue with Thompson and then pushed Thompson against a guardrail.

Thompson feared for his life and shot the driver as he ran away, police said

According to investigators, the man was shot in the lower back and taken to Ben Taub Hospital with non-threatening injuries.

An investigation is ongoing.

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