July 24, 2011 - Charges have been filed against a suspect wanted for pointing a rifle at a Houston police officer at 1600 Dunaway about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday (July 23).

The suspect, Jose Alberto Hernandez (H/m, DOB:  2-14-88), is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault on a peace officer in the 174th State District Court.  A photo of Hernandez, who remains at large, is attached to this news release.

Officer G.T. Clark, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in the incident.  He is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in May, 2003.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. Parker and Senior Police Officer S. Straughter reported:

Officer Clark responded to a shooting in-progress call at Sophia's Club at 1325 Sheffield Boulevard.  Upon arrival, Officer Clark learned the suspect had fled the scene after he and club security guards exchanged gunfire after the suspect pointed a rifle at them.  While interviewing the security guards, the suspect drove back to the scene and then fled upon seeing the uniformed officer.

Officer Clark pursued the suspect, who lost control of his vehicle in the 1600 block of Dunaway.  Upon exiting his vehicle, the suspect retrieved a rifle and pointed it at Officer Clark, who then discharged his duty weapon.  The suspect then fled on foot without discharging the rifle, which was recovered at the scene.  It is not believed the suspect was wounded during the shooting.

Further investigation identified Jose Alberto Hernandez as the suspect in this case.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts 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 shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.

Jose Alberto Hernandez



KJS/JFC  7-24-11
Inc. #095583811