Houston police: Officer fired shots at assault suspect who pointed weapon at him
Tomas G. Rodriguez (Photo: Houston Police Department)
HOUSTON - Houston police say no one was struck by the gunfire when an officer fired multiple shots at an assault suspect who pointed a weapon at him.
Police identified the suspect as 30-year-old Tomas Rodriguez. He is charged with aggravated assault against a police officer, aggravated assault of a family member and felon in possession.
The police department identified the officer who discharged his duty weapon as Officer C. Rios. He is assigned to the Central Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in February 2020. He was not injured.
The incident occurred around 10:55 p.m. Sunday on West 20th Street near Bevis.
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According to HPD, patrol officers responded to a call about an assault in progress, and the suspect was believed to have a gun at the time.
HPD says witnesses indicated where the assault occurred, and there was a woman at the scene with injuries.
Multiple agencies investigate an officer-involved shooting on 20th Street near Bevis.
Police say officers saw the suspect, Rodriguez, running through a parking lot. As he ran, he allegedly turned and pointed a weapon at officers.
In fear for his safety, police say, Officer Rios discharged his duty weapon at Rodriguez, who was not struck. The suspect was taken into custody.
Authorities say the woman who was assaulted was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to her face. She was last reported to be in stable condition.
HPD says a firearm was recovered from the suspect. Police say they also learned that a witness tried to intervene when the woman was being assaulted, but the suspect threatened the witness with a firearm.
As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit and the Internal Affairs Division.