HOUSTON, TX – Houston police say a patrol check at a CVS in downtown Houston led to a fatal officer-involved shooting after a combative suspect stabbed an officer above his left ear.
According to police, officers were conducting a routine business check at the CVS located at 300 Milam around 7:25 p.m. when a man entered the store yelling and acting erratically. Officers escorted him outside and attempted to speak with him as they walked approximately 50 feet away from the entrance.
Police stated the man became increasingly belligerent, and when officers attempted to detain him, he pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed Officer Joaquin Garza above his left ear, causing severe bleeding. His partner then fired his weapon, striking and killing the suspect.
Officer Garza, who has been with the department for two and a half years, was taken to Memorial Hermann and is expected to be okay.
Investigators said the suspect is a 27-year-old Hispanic male with a lengthy criminal history but his name has not yet been released.
The Houston Police Department, its Homicide Division, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office are jointly investigating the shooting. Police stated the information is preliminary and body-worn camera footage will be released once the investigation progresses.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
