Suspect Charged After Houston Police Officer-Involved Shooting in Upper Kirby Area

HOUSTON, Texas. A 30-year-old man has been charged after Houston police officers opened fire during a standoff involving a reported stolen vehicle in the Greenway and Upper Kirby area, according to the Houston Police Department.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 6, in the 4000 block of Westheimer Road.

Police identified the suspect as Jamarcus Oneal Spates, who has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was booked into the Harris County Jail.

According to investigators, an off-duty uniformed Houston police officer working extra employment at a business spotted a suspicious vehicle parked at the location. After checking the vehicle, the officer learned it had been reported stolen in Fort Bend County and was also connected to an assault investigation.

Uniformed patrol officers responded and attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop on the parked vehicle. Police said Spates refused repeated commands to exit and remained inside the vehicle for an extended period.

Investigators said officers then made a coordinated approach toward the vehicle. During that approach, officers believed Spates pushed open the driver’s door and extended his arm in what they perceived to be a shooting position.

Nine Houston police officers fired their department-issued weapons. Spates was grazed by a bullet during the encounter.

No officers were injured.

As is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings within the city, the incident is being investigated by the Houston Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.