HOUSTON – Police are searching for three men who they say opened fire on a Houston police officer who was driving by in his police vehicle.
The incident happened around 1:18 a.m. Friday at a location on Haviland Street near Minetta Street in southwest Houston.
According to HPD, officer B. Taveras had just conducted a traffic stop and was driving by the area in his patrol car when three men coming from Haviland Park fired multiple shots in his direction, striking his vehicle.
“We do not know what the suspects were involved in at this point,” authorities said. “The officer was not actively engaged with the suspects. He just started taking fire as he was driving down the road. It’s another example of how...dangerous it is for our officers out here.”
Taveras then spotted the suspects in a nearby park. Investigators said one of the suspects pointed a pistol at Taveras, who then felt threatened for his life, and exited his vehicle, and returned fire.
It is unclear if any of the suspects were hit.
Authorities said Taveras is a three-year veteran of the department and was not injured in the shooting.
Investigators spoke with several witnesses in hopes of getting more information about the shooting. They are still looking for the men involved in the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS(8477)