Armed man shot and killed by officer after suspicious person call, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An officer-involved shooting in the Fifth Ward left one man dead on Sunday afternoon.

The Houston Police Department said officers were called to Wayne Street in northeast Houston for a suspicious person with a weapon.

The man’s family told ABC13 that he was dealing with some mental health issues.

“He was always a real big protector. But unfortunately, he did suffer from some mental issues, and that led up to the events,” Larry Menifee said.

Menifee said his son was the suspect in this fatal officer-involved shooting.

“The Houston Police Department received a call of a suspicious person with a weapon at 1408 Wayne Street,” HPD Asst. Chief of Police James Skelton said.

Seven minutes later, HPD said officers arrived and noticed a man with a weapon. At that point, that’s when HPD said they set up a perimeter and issued verbal commands.

“The suspect raised his weapon, and our officers, unfortunately, had to discharge their weapon,” Skelton said.

HPD said the suspect, a 29-year-old man, died on the scene.

The department said there was a disturbance inside a home leading up to this.

“Before the officers were dispatched, the suspect was inside of the residence threatening family members with the weapon,” Skelton said. “He also attempted to gain entry in the back of the residence, where there is a screen that is ajar.”

ABC13 asked police if any mental health officers were brought out during their encounter with the man.

“They were basically seeing an individual with a weapon. So, we didn’t have all that information, but that’s part of the investigation,” Skelton said.

Ultimately, Menifee said he wants his son to be remembered as more than just a suspect in this case.

“If you would have known him, he was the biggest friend you could ever have,” Menifee said.

HPD said bodycam footage will be released within 30 days, per the department’s policy.