Charges have been filed against three men who were driving a car that nearly struck a Houston Police Department officer, leading the officer to fire his gun at the vehicle.
Ronny Leonardo Hernandez, 18, the suspected driver, has been charged with aggravated assault of a public servant. His alleged accomplices, 19-year-old Cristian Rolando Gutierrez Bonilla and 20-year-old Victor Jesus Rauda Lopez, have been charged with criminal trespass.
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OUR FIRST REPORT: Robbery suspects arrested after officer fires at stolen Mustang in Houston
The men were believed to have stolen the Mustang at gunpoint minutes before they faced authorities on the night of April 10.
While HPD officers were searching for the stolen vehicle, they located the car in a parking lot at Lyons Avenue. Several marked HPD patrol vehicles responded to the scene and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The officers stood outside of their patrol vehicle and gave verbal commands for the suspects to exit the Mustang, but the driver moved the vehicle directly toward the officers and their patrol vehicles and drove forward.
One of the officers was reportedly in the direct path of the oncoming vehicle with nowhere to move. Fearing he was about to be run over, he fired his service weapon at the car, officials said. He did not strike any of the men.
The vehicle narrowly missed hitting the officer and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. No injuries were reported.
Officers initiated a pursuit of the Mustang until it was eventually forced to stop in the 7600 block of Wallisville Road due to tire damage.
The three men remained in the vehicle and were arrested without further incident. Officers recovered three firearms: one in the vehicle and two others thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit.
As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents within Houston city limits, this case is being investigated. HPD officials are also investigating the evidence in the suspected robbery that led to the violent situation.