Harris County officer-involved shooting: Suspect pronounced dead on scene
HOUSTON - A murder suspect is dead after a gun battle between him and investigators broke out at the Riverside park in Third Ward.
"It was over 17 gunshots," said a witness.
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HPD was on scene and is investigating the shooting because it’s in their jurisdiction. HPD Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite, Texas DPS troopers and Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies located a possible murder suspect, who was seen driving a white jeep, arrive in the 2600 block of Calumet Street.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the suspect officials were looking for is Dimitri Humphrey, who’s accused of murdering Shantavia Reddick, on September 9.
Satterwhite says authorities saw him enter a park in the area and formed a plan to safely take him into custody when no civilians were around.
Three Harris County deputies and two DPS troopers approached the suspect, but he took off running, then pulled out a firearm, and shot at officials who returned fire.
"This was a moving gun-battle, very dangerous, as the suspect was firing back at the officers," said Satterwhite.
He says the suspect ran uphill and across the street, behind a home where he collapsed with his firearm at his side.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities.
Sheriff Gonzalez says Humphrey was wanted for the shooting and killing of Spring ISD third-grade teacher, Shantavia Reddick, and her dog, while she was trying to help her friend leave an alleged abusive relationship.
"These situations can be very dynamic. We always say that it’s the most dangerous time when someone’s trying to leave an abusive relationship. And this friend just stepped in to help another friend – like so many have probably done – and unfortunately this turn of events became very tragic," he said.
According to Gonzalez, law enforcement had been actively pursuing him as part of the ongoing investigation of the incident. They were planning to bring him in safely.
"They gave him every opportunity to turn himself in," Gonzalez said.
Satterwhite says no member of law enforcement was injured in the incident.
Sheriff Gonzalez says they are waiting to have the suspect's identity officially confirmed.
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