Suspect killed by officers after chase ends on Allen Parkway

Houston police say at least four officers opened fire on a suspect who they say was trying to kill them

HOUSTON – Allen Parkway inbound lanes have reopened following an officer-involved shooting Monday morning.

Houston police said at least four officers opened fire on a suspect who they said was trying to kill them.

"The responding officers obviously feared for the lives and the lives of their fellow officers," said HPD spokesman Victor Senties. "They discharged their duty weapons and the suspect was fatally struck here at the scene."

Investigators said everything started at 12:45 a.m. Monday at Monroe near I-45. Two officers in the area stated the suspect was in his sedan in a convenience store parking lot, acting suspiciously.

The officers tried pulling the man over, but he refused and took off. Investigators said the man had a warrant for larceny out of Huntsville and may have been under the influence of drugs.

"At several times throughout the pursuit, the suspect did stop the vehicle and fired multiple times at officers," Senties said.

The suspect fleeing from officers had his girlfriend in his passenger seat, detectives said. The high-speed chase and shootout lasted  for more than 10 miles.

Homicide detectives said the suspect started driving the wrong way on Allen Parkway and crashed near Stanford. But after the crash, both the gunmen and the girlfriend took off running, according to officers.

HPD said the male suspect was firing at officers as he tried to run away near an apartment complex, but at least four officers fired back, fatally shooting the man at the scene.

His girlfriend, Stephanie Ann Adams, was arrested. Adams, 39, faces charges of aggravated assault of a police officer. She was not injured.

No officers suffered any injuries.

Houston police said R. Rivas, C. Franzzini, V. Zaunbrecher and  R. Gilchrest were the four officers involved in the shooting. They have been places on three-day administrative duty, per the department's police.

Officers Rivas and Frazzini, sworn in as officers in January 2008 and November 2007 respectively, are assigned to the Gang Division Crime Reduction Unit.  Officers Zaunbrecher and Gilchrest, sworn in as officers in July 2009 and April 2009 respectively, are assigned to the South Central Patrol Division.

The case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

The suspect's name has not been released.