Houston police Sergeant Mauricio Valle shot several times in ambush; suspect Edwin Joey Villegas dies after shootout with police.
A Houston police officer was shot at least three times while searching for a burglary suspect, and the suspect died after the officer fired back in southwest Houston on Saturday, according to the Houston Police Department.
Houston Police Department Press Release Re: Sergeant Mauricio Valle Shot
Investigation Into Fatal Shooting Incident At 7000 Harwin Drive
December 2, 2023 – Houston police are investigating the shooting of an HPD officer and fatal shooting of an armed suspect in the 7000 block of Harwin Drive about 1:15 a.m. today.
The identity of the deceased suspect, 23, is pending identification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The wounded officer, Sergeant M. Valle, 38, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center in stable condition. The sergeant discharged his duty weapon in the incident. He was sworn in as an HPD officer in April 2007 and is assigned to the Midwest Patrol Division.
HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant E. Wohlgemuth and Detectives D. Escobar, C. Walker and N. Barnes reported:
HPD patrol officers with the Midwest Patrol Division’s Crime Suppression Team were conducting an investigation at the above address. During the investigation, officers located the suspect and, at one point, lost sight of him. As the sergeant searched behind a building at the above address, the suspect fired multiple shots into the sergeant’s vehicle, striking him several times. The sergeant managed to exit his vehicle and return fire toward the suspect.
The suspect ran away from the scene, and a short time later, was found around the corner of a building. He had suffered gunshot wounds. Officers administered first aid to the suspect and the sergeant. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene and transported the sergeant to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.