THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS DON'T GRAB AN OFFICER'S GUN

BWC: Suspect grabs, fires Houston officer’s gun before fatal OIS

After an officer warned that the suspect was attempting to get control of his firearm, another officer fired multiple shots, fatally wounding the suspect

 

By Joanna Putman

 

Police 1 

Feb 16, 2025

 

 

 

Houston officer points pistol at man during gun grab attack on fellow officer just before a Jan. 6 fatal shooting. 

 

HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department released body camera footage from a fatal officer-involved shooting of a man who grabbed an officer’s service weapon, KHOU reported.

Police responded to reports of a man slashing tires and breaking car windows with a sharp object on Jan. 6, according to the report. A witness told KHOU 11 she saw the suspect vandalizing a car and attempting to enter a neighbor’s home before walking away.

Officers located a man matching the suspect’s description and attempted to arrest him, but he fled on foot, video shows. After catching up, officers tackled him, and a struggle ensued.

The footage shows Officer Zhu bringing the suspect to the ground before the man flipped over on top of him.

“He’s got my gun!” an officer can be heard shouting during the struggle.

Police say the suspect fired the weapon while the firearm was still holstered.

Officer Avila then stepped back and fired at least two shots, striking the suspect. After the second shot, the man went limp but remained on top of Zhu. Police carefully moved him, saying his finger was still on the trigger of the officer’s gun.

No officers were injured, according to the report. The suspect’s identity has not been released. The involved officers have been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation, which is standard procedure.