Incident at 2000 Santa Rosa

January 16, 2008 - A wanted felony suspect who pointed a weapon at Houston police officers on two occasions was shot by the officers in the 2000 block of Santa Rosa about 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 15).

The suspect, Jose R. Ayala (H/m, DOB: 12-12-86), was wanted on an outstanding probation violation warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was in critical condition following surgery.

Eight HPD officers who discharged weapons were not injured. Officers G. Rodriguez, sworn in in February 1984, J.A. Cantu, sworn in in December 1993, M.T. Romero, sworn in in July 1985, T.D. Haase, sworn in August 1984, J. B. Byrd, sworn in in January 1980 and J.L. Thomas, sworn in in July 1985, are all assigned to the Eastside Patrol Division. Sergeant R. Rodriguez, sworn in in December 1984, and Officer A.C. Dealejandro, sworn in in August 1985, are assigned to the South Central Patrol Division.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant D.A. Ferguson and Senior Police Officer R.P. Martinez reported:

The suspect, Jose R. Ayala, wanted on an outstanding warrant was located driving his vehicle by officers who initiated a traffic stop in attempts to arrest him. Ayala refused to stop and fled the scene, leading officers on a pursuit. Officers were able to place spike strips on the roadway, causing one of the suspect’s vehicle’s tires to go flat. Ayala drove his vehicle to the 2000 block of Santa Rosa where he exited his vehicle and pointed a weapon at officers. The officers, fearing for their lives, fired several times at Ayala, who then ran from the officers while still pointing his weapon at them as he ran. Ayala attempted to enter a house, but was unsuccessful and again pointed his weapon at officers, who again feared for their lives and shot at Ayala.

Ayala was wounded and arrested. Paramedics transported him to Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment.

As is customary in all officer-involved shootings within the city limits, Houston police Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, along with the Harris County District Attorney’s office will investigate this case.

GO/JFC 1-16-08
Inc #007143608

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.