Gotta Luv This Town!

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The_Shootist

The_Shootist

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Where else but Houston could you see a gunfight on the bus home from work?

Ok, I didn't precisely see it, but as my bus was taking me back to Galveston from downtown Houston this aft, I noticed 3 police helicopters hovering to the right of the highway.

After 911, I tend to sit up and take notice when things like that pop up. Anyways, bus keeps going and passes a shopping mall parking lot FILLED with cop cars and flashing lights.

"Hmmm," thought I "Probably a bit more than a purse snatching in THAT parking lot."

Watch the news tonight and it turns out a patrol car stops a car in that parking lot for a traffic violation. When challenged, one of the occupants of the car unwisely decides to step out of the car and bad mouth the cops - while waving a pump action shotgun with a pistol grip in their approximate direction.

Cops in question are perturbed by this reaction and a "brisk exchange of gunfire" ensues, OK Corral style, in the (formerly) peaceful and (currently) crowded parking lot.

Situation goes down hard - Mr Shotgun expires with approx 6 rounds in him, fellow passengers decide it prudent to surrender with a minimum of fuss once the parking lot fills up with patrol cars. Civilian witnesses are annoyed routine shopping trip ends up like a trip to Fallujah.

The cops have been suspended / reassigned for three days while the rat squad goes about their business but from reports from the scene nobody was faulting the cops - witnesses describe what was a justified reaction from the police.

I made a mental note not to go shopping in this area of Houston unless carrying something more robust than my P-32 (Glock 19 with 3 "standard cap" mags?).

Sounds like scoreboard for 2005 so far is: Cops 1 - Gangstas 0
 
reports from the scene nobody was faulting the cops - witnesses describe what was a justified reaction from the police.
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That's pretty amazing. It seems to be standard operating procedure in these cases for witnesses to claim the bg was unarmed, minding his own business and the cops shot him down for no reason at all.
 
All of the witnesses that talked to the media agree that the BG shot first. HPD automaticly places all Officers involved in a shooting on office duty intill the investigation is completed.

Oneshooter
Livin, and Duckin, in Texas
 
Was visiting my in-laws in Pearland over the holiday week. All I saw on the news stations was reports on crimes - home invasions, dead woman found, bank robbery, etc... Oh, yeah, that's a great place to live. :uhoh: No Thanks! I'll stay up here where a major news event is a car accident without injuries. :p
 
Kudos to the officers on this one. Keen observation, good tactics in separating early and seeking cover/concealment, and good shooting - if I understand correctly, the gunman didn't even get a shot off before going down. I want those two on my side!
 
Waving a shotgun in the general direction of The Constabulary is a very good way to have them rain copious amounts of lead alloys on your parade...

And it helps chlorinate the gene pool, too.
 
They only keep stories live for one day for non-subscribers if I remember right.
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All the more reason to copy & post it for members future reference.

Jan. 4, 2005, 4:06PM

Traffic stop ends in fatal shooting of motorist
By PEGGY O'HARE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

A man shot to death by Houston police when he pulled a shotgun on them during a routine traffic stop has been identified as Alex Mendez, 26, of South Houston.

The incident happened outside a shopping center in the 3300 block of Telephone around 5:15 p.m. Monday when two Houston police officers, David Justin Patterson and Vasilis Harisis, stopped Mendez because the paper license plate on his car was not immediately visible, a police spokesman said.

As one of the officers began to approach the car, Mendez started to step out of the vehicle. The officer told Mendez to remain seated in his car, and he initially obeyed, investigators said.

But as Harisis continued to approach, Mendez got out of his car. Both officers could see he was armed with a shotgun, investigators said. Patterson then took cover behind his patrol car. Mendez was seen by the other officer pointing the shotgun at Patterson, Houston homicide investigators said.

Both officers then opened fire. Mendez was hit and died at the scene. Two passengers who were in Mendez's car were questioned and released.

Both officers are assigned to the Houston Police Department's Southeast Patrol Division. Patterson has been with the department for five years, and Harisis has been with the department 3-1/2 years, personnel records show.

Houston police homicide and internal affairs detectives are investigating the incident. As is routine in officer-involved shootings, the Harris County District Attorney's Office also is investigating.

HPD Capt. Dwayne Ready said said the two patrol officers will be off the street for three days — standard practice for any officer-involved shooting.
 
Was it just a strip mall? or was it one of the actual malls? If so I'm just curious which one?
 
Hey BlkHawk73

If thats all you saw on the news when you were in Pearland, it must have been a slow day! :evil: I take it you only see evil purse snatchings in Maine?

Thats the nice thing about Houston - why go to an action movie if all you have to do is turn on the news...save ya some money.

Hey, this is the Wild West (urban style). It gives you more incentive to go to the range and practice (and I'm taking my G19 out this morning - I think my P-32 and Bersa Thunder will stay at home). :D
 
...one of the occupants of the car unwisely decides to step out of the car and bad mouth the cops - while waving a pump action shotgun with a pistol grip in their approximate direction.
Click to expand...

It's amazing how many people die from their own abject stupidity.
 
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