POLICE Department

Investigation into Fatal Shooting at 800 Southwest Freeway


December 12, 2016 - The fatal shooting of a man at 800 Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) about 3 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 11) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The deceased man, Israel Gonzalez, 32, of Houston, was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer J. Villareal and Officer R. Lujan reported:

Mr. Gonzalez and his fiance were driving in their silver Nissan northbound on the Southwest Freeway near Spur 527 when another vehicle, a Nissan Versa, came into their lane and struck the side of Gonzalez's car.  Gonzalez honked his horn and stopped his vehicle on the freeway.  The other driver, with no passengers, stopped his vehicle directly behind Gonzalez's car.  Gonzalez got out of his vehicle and walked to the driver's side door of the Versa and began a confrontation with the driver.  The other driver claimed Gonzalez approached him with a knife in his hand and then struck him in the face with his fist.  The driver, who has a concealed handgun license (CHL), pulled out a weapon and fired one time, fatally striking Gonzalez in the upper chest.

All available witnesses were interviewed by investigators.  After a discussion with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, it was decided the incident would be referred to a grand jury.



JFC/VHS 12-12-16
Inc. #156905216

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