Investigation Into Incident at 14561 Northwest Freeway

September 22, 2010 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which a Houston police officer discharged his duty weapon at two robbery suspects at 14561 Northwest Freeway (U. S. 290) about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 21).  One male suspect is in custody and is being questioned but has not been charged at this time.  Two other suspects, described only as black males, remain at large. 

Senior Police Officer P. Sandoval, who discharged his duty weapon, suffered a minor injury to his forehead and was treated at the scene.  Officer Sandoval, assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in September 1995. 

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants B. Williams and R. Rohling reported: 

Officer Sandoval was in uniform and working an approved extra job at the Vista Bank Texas when he saw two black males wearing masks, one of them armed with a pistol, enter the front doors of the bank.  Believing the bank was about to be robbed and fearing for the safety of the bank employees, Officer Sandoval discharged his duty weapon several times at the suspects.  Both suspects then turned and fled.  One suspect got into a white Ford Taurus which was driven by a third suspect.  The other suspect tripped and fell in the parking lot and was taken into custody.  A pistol was recovered from him at the scene.  The white Taurus was found abandoned less than a mile away. 

Anyone with information in this case or on the identities of the two wanted suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. 

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office. 

 

VHS/JFC 9-22-10

Inc. #134992910