A robbery suspect was shot dead by Houston police officers in the latest officer-involved shooting to hit the city, marking the fourth such incident in just as many days. The confrontation, which culminated in the suspect's death, unfolded yesterday morning after police responded to a reported robbery at a convenience store located at 3318 W. Fuqua, according to a FOX 26 Houston report.
Fleeing the scene on a bike, the suspect made his way to the 14400 block of Alrover Street, believed by authorities to be where he resided. Upon arriving, the individual, whose identity has not been released, was seen sitting on a bench still armed with a gun. When approached by officers, they issued multiple commands for the man to drop the weapon. Noticing the officers, "He still had the gun. Officers gave him commands repeatedly to drop the gun. At some point, he got up off the bench and advanced towards the officers," Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner said in a statement obtained by FOX 26 Houston.
Three officers on the scene discharged their firearms at the suspect as he reportedly advanced toward them. The officers involved, a 17-year sergeant, a four-year officer, and a two-year officer—all with the Southwest Patrol—were unharmed. Chief Finner, who spoke at a press conference, lamented the unknown motives behind such a tragic occurrence.
While the officers are placed on administrative leave amid ongoing investigations, the citizen caught in the earlier altercation with the suspect at the convenience store sustained minor injuries and was treated on the scene.
