Officer opens fire on suspect during traffic stop

HOUSTON It happened around 8:30pm at Westheimer near Kirkwood. Houston police pulled over a man in a pickup truck for a traffic violation. Once they were in a parking lot, the suspect reportedly became aggressive with police and charged the officer. The suspect then grabbed the officer's radio and attempted to hit him with it.

The officer used a Taser on the man, but it had no effect. A second officer arrived on scene and deployed her Taser, but it was also unsuccessful. That's when the suspect ran back to his truck.

"The suspect comes out of the vehicle and points a weapon in the direction of Officer Garza," said Jodi Silva with the Houston Police Department. "Officer Garza, in fear of his life, discharges his duty weapon, striking the suspect."

The suspect, Jeffrey Marlon Peterson, 37, is facing a charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer. He was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he remains in critical, but stable condition.

Both officers were not injured in the incident.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents, the incident is under investigation.