HPD officer shoots, wounds alleged burglar

A Houston police officer shot a man who allegedly attacked him with a metal rod after breaking into his northwest-side home, authorities said.

Officer B. Johnson had finished his shift at HPD’s South Central Patrol Division around 10:45 a.m. Thursday when his alarm company notified him that someone had broken into his home in the 6500 block of Yorkdale near Dalview, officials said.

“He came home to find a suspect with items from his home,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. “Our officer actually engaged the suspect who began to engage the officer in a physical altercation.”

The man allegedly pulled out a heavy metal rod used in automotive repair work known as a “pickle fork” because of its resemblance to the smaller dining utensil. Acevedo said it was clear the man intended to use it as a weapon against Johnson, who was in full Houston police uniform.

“It can lead to serious bodily injury or death,” Acevedo said.

HPD officials said Johnson fired “more than once” at the burglary suspect.

Acevedo warned against using a dangerous weapon on a police officer in uniform.

“You can almost be assured you’re going to get shot,” he said.

The suspected burglar, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital for surgery. Acevado said the identity would not be released until after his family is notified.

The officer, a 22-year HPD vet, was not injured during the fight with the suspected burglar, police said. Johnson was in uniform but was not equipped with a body camera. Acevedo said HPD detectives were interviewing at least three people who saw what happened.

“It’s a complex scene. This is an ongoing investigation,” Acevedo said.