HPD Officer Shoots Armed Robbery Suspect Wielding Machete

Houston police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, May 16, at approximately 3:25 p.m., at 2200 Southmore Boulevard. An armed male suspect was shot by an HPD officer and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Earnest Duke Harrison. He is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in the 183rd State District Court.

Officer L. Jumonji, who discharged her duty weapon, was not injured in the incident. Officer Jumonji was sworn in as an officer in December 2021 and is assigned to the South Central Patrol Division.

According to HPD Special Investigations Unit Detectives K. Vu and M. Childs, HPD patrol officers initially responded to a report of a robbery at a store near the 5100 block of Almeda Road. They learned that a male suspect had stolen merchandise and brandished a large knife when confronted by store employees.

Upon arrival, officers located a male matching the suspect’s description and issued verbal commands to stop. The suspect then advanced towards one of the officers with a machete. Fearing for her safety and the safety of others, Officer Jumonji discharged her duty weapon, striking the suspect.

Paramedics transported the suspect, later identified as Harrison, to an area hospital in critical condition.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents within the Houston city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.