Incident at 2900 Renshaw February 14, 2008 - Charges are pending against a female suspect wounded by officers as she tried to use a stolen vehicle as a weapon and flee from officers at 2900 Renshaw about 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 13). The suspect, identified as Havanna P. Garcia (H/f, DOB 11-1-78), was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital with a gunshot wound to the left elbow. She faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and felony evading. Garcia fled from officers and was taken into custody following a traffic accident in the 6000 block of the Gulf Freeway (Interstate 45 South). Three HPD officers who discharged their weapons, A. Arriaga (sworn in in May 2003), J.R. Salinas (also sworn in in May 2003) and F. Cardoza (sworn in in July 2003), are assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division. None of the officers was injured. HPD Homicide Division Sergeant O. Chandler and Officer K. Lovelace reported: Officers observed the female suspect driving a stolen green Mitsubishi Montero and requested assistance from other officers prior to approaching the vehicle for safety reasons. The suspect noticed the officers and became evasive while driving the vehicle. She attempted to strike the officers with the vehicle while the officers were on foot giving her verbal commands to get out of the vehicle. The officers discharged their weapons in fear of their safety and an attempt to stop the imminent threat the suspect posed. For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |