What started as a routine traffic stop turned into a gunfight that left the victim wounded, lying on the pavement of a parking lot on Uvalde. He had been shot several times by Houston Police, who said that he exited the car they had stopped, brandishing a gun.
The incident occurred last Thursday, Sept. 5 about 4:00 pm on Uvalde between Holly Park and Woodforest.
Officials report that the man, who has not been identified, was wanted by the Harris County Sheriff’s office for aggravated assault. This may have been the reason for the traffic stop.
Police said that in the car with the man were two women and a child, none of whom were injured in the shooting, but reportedly traumatized by the unexpected events.
In an ironic twist of fate, the father of the child in the car, Jason Martinez, was across the street at a barber shop, and at first did not know his child was involved. He received a message and tried to go to the scene, but was not permitted by the police because they were still investigating.
The victim was said to be a 28-year-old Hispanic male, who without warning exited the backseat of the car and pointed a gun at the officers. Two HPD officers then shot him multiple times. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition officials reported.
The HPD officers involved were veterans of the force, one for 11 years, the other 12 years. They were put on administrative duty pending the result of the investigation of the incident.
The investigation is being conducted by the Harris County Sheriff’s office, and is continuing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the HCSO.