Officer shoots man while investigating trespassing in northeast Houston, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man is in the hospital after he was shot by a Houston police officer on the northeast side, according to authorities.

It happened at about 7:40 p.m. Sunday in the 8400 block of Tidwell Road near Haddick Street, where police said officers were patrolling the area and noticed a black Lincoln sedan parked on the side of a business that has visible "No Trespassing" signs.

During an investigation, police approached the car and saw a man, identified as 39-year-old Broderick Rax, sitting in the driver's seat.

Officials said they told Rax that they were conducting a trespassing investigation and that a strong marijuana smell was coming from his vehicle.

According to police, officers told Rax to get out of the car, but he continually refused, so they tried to physically remove him from the vehicle.

Officers said they noticed a gun on the driver's side floorboard, within Rax's reach. They then used a Taser on him, but said it was not successful.

"One of the two officers at that point realized and made the declaration that the suspect was reaching for the gun. At that time, he (the officer) discharged his firearm," Asst. Chief Kevin Deese said.

Police said the suspect then ran inside the convenience store, where he was arrested after a brief struggle. The man was shot once in the lower body.

HPD said he was conscious and breathing when he was taken to the hospital. He is said to be stable.

Rax is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of controlled substance.

The department shared a photo on social media of the suspect's weapon inside his vehicle.

The HPD officers involved were not injured.

Officer G. Chappell, who fired his weapon at Rax, joined HPD in July 2019 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.

The other officer has been with the department for four years.

HPD's special investigation unit, the internal affairs division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are all investigating, which the department said is standard protocol for HPD officer-involved shootings within city limits.