Authorities have leveled charges against two individuals sought in connection to a shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of March 26 at 400 Richmond Avenue. The suspects, identified as Melisa Aparicio Vergara, 31, and Hamza Abdullah, 21, face charges of aggravated assault against a public servant. The claims are laid out in the 337th and 185th State District Courts, respectively, according to the City of Houston news release.
Despite the seriousness of the charge, both Vergara and Abdullah currently evade capture. The Houston Police urge anyone with knowledge about the suspects' whereabouts to step forward. They believe the duo could be traveling in a black Jeep Wrangler, sporting a hard top, with Texas license plates RGH9499. This comes after a shooting directed toward an off-duty officer occurred, which, by grace or circumstance, did not result in injuries for the victim, a 28-year-old male.
HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division's Detective A. Garcia shared with the media that an off-duty officer from Livingston Police Department, while in uniform and taking up an additional job, encountered gunfire near the intersection of 400 Richmond Avenue and the Southwest Freeway. "The off-duty officer stated he was at the intersection near the above address and the Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) service road when two unknown suspects in a black Jeep Wrangler discharged a firearm multiple times in his direction," remarked Garcia. The officer managed to avoid harm, and the assailants fled the scene.
Following an in-depth investigation, the authorities homed in on Vergara and Abdullah as the primary suspects. Upon consultation with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the charges were promptly filed. These suspects are currently at large. The Houston Police Department Major Assaults & Family Violence Division can be reached at 713-308-8800 by those with any information. Alternately, tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS, as indicated in the news release.
