POLICE Department

Investigation into Fatal Stabbing, Shooting at 8535 South Braeswood Boulevard

May 18, 2020 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a male suspect by an HPD officer following the fatal stabbing of an elderly female at 8535 South Braeswood Boulevard about 10:10 a.m. on Saturday (May 16).

The identity of the deceased suspect, 38, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The deceased female victim is identified as Rosalie Cook, 80.

Officer W. Linares, who discharged his duty weapon in the incident, was not injured.  Officer Linares is assigned to the South Gessner Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in December 2011.  

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant M. Ynosencio and Detectives E. Contreras, M. Glover, R. Gonzalez, D. Hobson and HPD Homicide Division Sergeants M. Brady and M. Casso reported:

Officer W. Linares responded to a report of a male with a knife at a business at 8650 South Braeswood Blvd.  Multiple officers responded and did not locate the suspect at that location.  Officer Linares then canvassed the area and drove to another business at 8535 South Braeswood Blvd.  Upon arrival, Officer Linares was flagged down by a witness who stated the suspect had stabbed an elderly female (Ms. Cook) and then entered her vehicle. 

The elderly female was lying on the ground near her car and the suspect was still sitting inside the vehicle.  Officer Linares ordered the suspect out of the victim's vehicle.  The suspect - with a knife in his hand - exited the vehicle and moved quickly towards Officer Linares.  Officer Linares, in fear of serious bodily injury or death, fired his duty weapon twice, striking the suspect. 
 
Paramedics transported the victim to Memorial Hermann Hospital where she was pronounced dead.  The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.  

As is customary when an HPD officer discharges a weapon in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigation Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



JKS/JFC   5-18-20
Inc. #06478820, 064765020


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