HPD officer kills man armed with screwdriver

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ^ | July 25, 2009, 2:40PM | MICHELA GARCIA and LINDSAY WISE

[humblegunner]

A Houston police officer shot and killed a suspected burglar who attacked him and his police dog with a screwdriver, authorities said. The officer, identified by HPD as G. Smith, was responding to a burglary call at an apartment in the 7100 block of Renwick about 4:20 p.m. Smith has been with the department 11 years and is assigned to the canine unit, according to HPD spokeswoman Jodi Silva. Residents in the apartment reported the burglary and when a patrol officer arrived the burglar was still inside, officials said. Smith called for a supervisor and a canine unit. The burglar soon left the apartment through the front window and was armed with a screwdriver, Silva said. Officers, speaking in English and Spanish, ordered him to get on the ground. He ignored them, Silva said. When the canine team entered the apartment's patio area, the man began attacking the dog and the officer, Silva said. Fearing for his safety, Smith shot the man, striking him once, Silva said. The man died at the scene, she said. The dog was not seriously injured. The officer was wearing a protective vest. The officer will be given three days of administrative leave, standard for all cases when an officer is involved in a shooting, Silva said.

[humblegunner]

[GregoTX]

Phillips or flathead?

[TXBlair]

Note to self: Gun trumps screwdriver.

[Mark was here]

Stupid cop should have asked to see his identification first. / Sarcasm

[OrangeHoof]

We can’t know if police “acted stupidly” until we know the race of the burglar and the race of “G Smith”.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Note to self: Gun trumps screwdriver.

At close quarters, don’t count on it.

[humblegunner]

When the canine team entered the apartment's patio area, the man began attacking the dog and the officer, Silva said. Fearing for his safety, Smith shot the man, striking him once, Silva said. The man died at the scene, she said. The dog was not seriously injured.

I'm OK with all that.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Phillips or flathead?

Crims tend to favor the flathead, sharpened to a chisel-edge. A very nasty, unpleasant weapon.

[Frank_2001]

Probably one of those “screw the police” types/s;)

[Seruzawa]

Next time bring a Harvey Wallbanger (ba da boom).

[Secret Agent Man]

Yes. #1 murder weapon: hands. #2: screwdriver. Precisely because that’s what burglars generally have on them.

[Enterprise]

"I don't know all the facts, but it seems to me that the police dog acted stupidly."

[DieHard the Hunter]

(grin!)

[domenad]

Damn budget cuts.

[TXBlair]

LOL!

[Eagles6]

First to say “Never bring a screwdriver to a gunfight”.

[NurdlyPeon]

We can’t know if police “acted stupidly” until we know the race of the burglar and the race of “G Smith”.

After all, that really is the only thing that's important.

[trumandogz]

It looks rather harmless but I guess some Houston cops still think we are lving in the times of prohibition.

[Joe 6-pack]

I wonder why the officer’s name is given, but the perp’s name wasn’t released?

[humblegunner]

I wonder why the officer’s name is given, but the perp’s name wasn’t released?

That is so that he may participate in the upcoming census of New Orleans.

We still have a few unfortunate victims of Katrina hereabouts.