Officer Involved Shooting in Houston: Suspect Arrested Following Pursuit

On December 4, 2023, at approximately 3:50 pm, a Houston Police Officer discharged his duty weapon at 545 Seminar Drive. The incident unfolded as officers from the HPD North Belt Patrol Division Tactical Unit were in the vicinity searching for Albert Verin Holmer, a 23-year-old individual with an active felony warrant for aggravated robbery.

Upon spotting Holmer’s vehicle, marked HPD patrol units attempted a traffic stop. Holmer, however, parked his vehicle in the lot of an apartment complex at the above address, exited, and began walking away. Officers approached to effect an arrest, but Holmer fled on foot. Pursuing officers issued repeated verbal commands for him to stop.

During the pursuit, Officer Lopez observed Holmer pull a pistol from his jacket pocket and turn toward the officers. In response to the perceived threat to his and his colleagues’ safety, Officer Lopez discharged his weapon, striking Holmer in the arm. Immediate medical assistance was provided until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived. Holmer was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment and later booked into the Harris County Jail.

Officer A. Lopez, who discharged his duty weapon, was unharmed in the incident. Lopez, a sworn officer since March 2017, is assigned to the North Belt Patrol Division.

Holmer faces charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Standard procedure dictates that the case will be subject to investigation by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, in line with customary protocols for HPD officer-involved shooting incidents within the Houston city limits.