Update – The Houston Police Department has announced a charge against the man who was shot during an officer-involved shooting at Sunnyside Park. HPD reports that 40-year-old Tyrone Whitfield Barnes is charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction.
Barnes remains hospitalized in stable condition. Officers responded to the 8600 block of Comal Street for a Shot Spotter alert. At the scene, officers were directed to the parking lot of Sunnyside Park by a witness.
HPD says officers found the male suspect with a gun in his hands. Officers exited their vehicle and gave the man commands to put down his gun. He did not comply. The suspect allegedly raised the weapon and pointed it at officers. Two officers discharged their duty weapons.
While the suspect was on the ground and holding the firearm, an officer fired again. The suspect eventually complied and was taken into custody. Barnes was shot in the right leg.
UPDATE: Photo of Tyrone Whitfield Barnes, 40, now charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon-with a felony conviction in this officer-involved shooting incident on Saturday (June 15).
More info: https://t.co/kFr6j01uXs#hounews https://t.co/EhptH2Udp5 pic.twitter.com/kMC7aZNGsT
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) June 17, 2024
Original – In a press conference, Assistant Chief Megan Howard said that officers responded to Sunnyside Park in the 8600 block of Comal Street following a Shot Spotter alert suggesting several shots had been fired. At the scene, a witness pointed officers in the direction of the suspect.
Howard said a black male in his 30s had a gun in the parking lot. Officers gave verbal commands several times. The suspect allegedly raised the weapon leading to an officer-involved shooting. Howard alleges that the man raised the gun towards the sky while injured.
HPD officers struggled to handcuff the suspect who was allegedly tensing up. Officers also had to give commands to the crowd to stay back. At some point, a member of the crowd picked up the weapon and had to be ordered to put it down. Officers eventually seized the weapon. A tourniquet was applied.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. The man is in stable condition and is expected to survive.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.