Officer shoots man to death who was assaulting people, hitting vehicles with flagpole

HOUSTON – A Houston police officer shot a man Wednesday in southwest Houston, according to authorities.

The officer shot the man in the 7100 block of Beechnut Street, near the intersection with Fondren Road, authorities said.

The man was waving an American flag and hitting vehicles with the flagpole around 5:35 p.m., according to police.

The man also assaulted two citizens, according to police. One of the citizens was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries.

An officer arrived at the scene, which is near Houston Baptist University, and attempted to stop the situation, according to police. Authorities said the man assaulted the officer and the officer shot the man with her Taser, but it didn't affect the man.

"I spoke to her. She's visibly shaken," HPD Asst. Chief Troy Finner said.

Police said the officer then retreated, but the man assaulted her again.

The officer then drew her weapon and fired one shot, hitting the man in his chest, police said.

"The male charged her again, began to assault her again. She was able to get away from him, she gave him commands again, she tried to retreat, he continuously charged and began to assault her. She fired one time striking him in the chest," Finner said.

The officer's body camera fell off during the fight, according to police.

The man was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital. The officer suffered minor injuries during the incident.

"She has some scratches, visible scratches. Might have some skin burns on her knee from actually tussling with the suspect, because it was all out assault on her," Finner said.

The officer has been working for Houston police for two years, authorities said. She was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in situations like this.