Incident at 6700 Renwick May 31, 2007 - Charges are pending against three suspects, one of whom shot a Houston police officer, at 6700 Renwick about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (May 30). The shooter, a juvenile male, was then shot by a police officer and transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in critical condition. The two other suspects, Jonathan David Gates (H/m, DOB: 12/8/87) and Hector A. Fuentes (H/m, DOB: 11/27/87), were taken into custody without further incident. Two handguns and a "butterfly knife" were recovered from the suspects at the scene. Gates and Fuentes each face charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawfully carrying a weapon. The juvenile suspect faces other various charges. The injured officer, M.A. Dominguez, was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where he was treated and released. Officer Dominguez's partner, Officer P. Kopulos, fired his service revolver, striking the juvenile suspect after that suspect fired his weapon, injuring Officer Dominguez. Both officers are two-year veterans assigned to the Fondren Patrol Division. HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J.H. Roberts and Officer L.K. Lovelace reported: Officers Kopulos and Dominguez were patrolling in the 6800 block of Renwick when they observed two adult male suspects and a juvenile male suspect jaywalking and acting suspicious on Renwick. Officers detained the suspects and began a pat down search of the suspects for their (officers') safety. Suspect Gates was found to be in possession of a handgun and as officers were in the process of arresting him, the juvenile suspect pulled a separate handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers. Officer Dominguez grabbed the juvenile suspect's hand and began fighting with him over the weapon in an attempt to disarm the suspect. The juvenile suspect then fired one shot at officers, grazing Officer Dominguez's cheek and causing powder burns to the officer's face. Officer Kopulos then fired two shots at the juvenile suspect, striking him at least one time. As is customary in officer-involved shootings in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's office. NJM/JFC/MES 5-31-07 For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |