Two teens charged in officer shooting

HOUSTON It all happened around noon Monday afternoon. Houston police say Officer Frank Pierce, a courtesy officer at the Alexan Bunker Hill apartment complex near Pine Lake and Bunker Hill in northwest Houston, interrupted a burglary in progress. He identified himself as an officer to one suspect carrying a flat screen TV, not knowing there was a second suspect with a gun.

According to police, as he attempted to take a 14-year-old suspect into custody, Officer Pierce was confronted by Patrick Carnell Freeman and both men got into a struggle. Freeman then allegedly pulled out a pistol that he had just stolen and shot Officer Pierce. Officer Pierce, fearing for his life, managed to return fire but did not strike Freeman or the 14-year-old.

Both suspects then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Freeman and the juvenile were later taken into custody by Jersey Village Police officers.

Freeman, 19, is charged with aggravated assault of a public servant. Freeman also faces a charge of burglary of a residence. A 14-year-old suspect has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of burglary of a habitation.

Officer Pierce suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he remains in good condition. Officer Pierce, assigned to the South Central Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in June 2006.

As is customary in officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case will be investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.