HOUSTON – Houston police have released body camera footage showing the moments officers confronted a man accused of firing a rifle at passing vehicles in northeast Houston before four law enforcement officers opened fire.
The shooting happened Aug. 14 around 11 a.m. in the 6200 block of North Wayside Drive near St. Louis Street.
According to HPD, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man shooting at vehicles. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was first flagged down by people in the area who pointed him toward the suspected shooter.
The newly released footage shows officers locating the suspect, identified by police as Demetri O’Neal Thomas, 45, on the front porch of a residence in the 7800 block of St. Louis Street.
Police can be heard repeatedly ordering Thomas to drop his weapon.
Viewer discretion is advised: The body camera footage released by HPD may contain graphic images and strong language.
According to HPD, Thomas did not comply. After multiple commands, police say he raised the weapon, prompting three HPD officers and the DPS trooper to fire their weapons.
Thomas was struck multiple times and officers provided first aid until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived. He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and remains hospitalized, according to police.
No officers were injured.
Three people were shot before officers arrived
HPD said investigators determined that three people were struck by gunfire when Thomas allegedly fired his rifle at vehicles.
Two victims were taken to a hospital, while a third was treated at the scene. All three were in stable condition, police said.
The original shooting prompted a large police response in the area near North Wayside Drive and St. Louis Street.
HPD Assistant Chief Adrien Rodriguez said the department is still in the early stages of the investigation and continues to review additional evidence.
The department also warned that portions of the released footage may be graphic and contain strong language.
Thomas faces seven charges
Thomas has since been charged with four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to HPD.
He remains hospitalized. A booking photo was not available.
The officers who fired their weapons were identified as J. Avila, J. Luna and J. Avery, all assigned to HPD’s Northeast Patrol Division. A DPS trooper also fired his weapon.
As is customary in officer-involved shootings, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit, HPD Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
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