Houston police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the University of St. Thomas at 1100 West Main Street around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. During a struggle between an officer from the University of St. Thomas Police Department and a male suspect, the officer’s duty weapon was discharged. No one was injured in the incident.
Detectives from the HPD Special Investigations Unit reported that officers with the University of St. Thomas (UST) Police Department were informed of a former student displaying suspicious behavior in the campus library lobby. An officer responded and made contact with the suspect, escorting him out of the building. As the suspect became irate and combative, attempting to flee the scene, the officer tried to detain him. During the struggle, the suspect managed to unholster the officer’s duty weapon and engage the trigger, discharging a live round that struck the ground without causing injury. The officer eventually regained control of his weapon, but the suspect struck the officer in the face with a closed fist. Responding officers assisted in taking the suspect into custody without further incident.
The 29-year-old suspect is facing pending charges of aggravated assault of a peace officer and disarming a peace officer. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of an unknown shoulder injury. As per protocol, the HPD Special Investigations Unit is investigating the incident since a law enforcement officer discharged a weapon within city limits.
