Murder suspect fires at HPD, leads police on chase

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man accused of murdering a woman and then shooting at a Houston police officer was arrested Sunday morning after leading police on a chase.

It all started around 7:15am at a Connie Leatrice Bowie's home in the 4100 block of Brisbane near Roandale.

Investigators were called there for an assult in progress. According to police, there was a domestic dispute between the homeowner and the 43-year-old suspect, Herbert G. Gardner.

When the first officer arrived at the scene, Gardner reportedly sprayed the officer's cruiser with a shotgun. The officer was not hit and Gardner fled in a red Dodge Nitro.

Police say they found Bowie's body in her home on Brisbane. The 39-year-old was shot to death.

Officers chased Gardner for about 20 minutes, exchanging gunfire, but no one was hit. The man eventually stopped at a home in the 5300 block of Glen Rio where he pointed a gun at officers again before he was subdued and arrested.

He was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Police said Gardner once dated Bowie and lived at the home on Brisbane with her, but he had recently moved out and they were arguing.

Police expect Gardner to face charges of murder, attempted capital murder of a police officer and possibly aggravated assault of a police officer.

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for updates as we continue following this story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HPD officer fires weapon at alleged beer thief

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An alleged beer theft turned into a confrontation with police overnight with an officer firing her weapon.

Police say officers were driving by a convenience store on Dowling around 11pm Saturday when a clerk ran out yelling he had been robbed.

Officers stopped and the clerk pointed out a car and said the robber was inside. The driver obeyed police commands to come out with his hands up. They say a passenger in the backseat was moving around.

"The passenger in the back seat got out of the vehicle and started to make a move like he was going to get down on the ground then jumped up and made an aggressive move at the officer," HPD spokesperson Kese Smith said. "The officer, fearing for her safety, discharged her duty weapon one time, did not strike the suspect."

The officer is a 16-year veteran named P. Briscoe. The suspect fled and has not been caught.

The remaining suspects were taken into custody and police say they found a stolen 24-pack of beer inside their car.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Off-duty HPD officer fires at suspects in parking lot

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- One suspect is in the hospital and another is on the run after investigators say the pair intentionally hit an off-duty Houston police officer with their car.

It happened around 1:30am in the parking lot of Twin Peaks restaurant on Lomitas at the Southwest Freeway feeder road.

The officer was working a second job at the restaurant when the suspects were involved a fight inside.

According to officials, the officer escorted the suspects outside where they hopped into their vehicle and tried to run over the officer. The officer says he started shooting when the men drove toward him.

"He's fearing for his life. He discharges his duty weapon and strikes the vehicle," HPD spokesperson Victor Senties said. "The vehicle then pulls around in the parking lot, comes back out and intentionally swerves towards the officer again."

The suspect's car hit the officer in the leg but he wasn't seriously hurt.

One of the suspects showed up later at an area hospital with a bullet wound. His injury is not life-threatening, authorities said. The other suspect remains on the loose.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local grass fires prompt evacuation, fast responses

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Proof of the high fire danger in our area: firefighters were busy with at least three grass fires Saturday.

A mobile home community was evacuated as firefighters battled a grass fire near the banks of Willow Creek and F.M. 2920 in the Tomball area of northwest Harris County.

Tomball firefighters and other area departments arrived at the fire around 2pm and elected to evacuate a mobile home park off Sugarberry Way as a precaution.

Officials were still battling the flames into the night. It destroyed several acres near the Inverness Estates subdivision, but no homes were damaged. It was unknown if the evacuated residents were allowed to return home Saturday.

That was the second grass fire Harris County officials had to deal with Saturday.

The first was a grass and woods fire on Moonshine Hill Rd. in Humble near F.M. 1960 East.

Crews from several local agencies were called to the fire around 1pm. They got it under control within a couple hours.

Officials said that fire burned between an acre and an acre and a half of land.

Another grass fire broke out around 8pm on Old Galveston Rd. in the Clear Lake area.

The bulk of that fire was knocked down quickly, officials said. It was close to an apartment complex, but authorities said the nearby buildings were not in danger.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Off-duty officer fires at intruders in his house

An off-duty officer fired at intruders during an alleged home invasion at his residence

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A group of burglars apparently picked the wrong home to try to break into Monday afternoon.

Houston police say two men tried kicking in the back door of a Houston police officer's home on Lovington on the northwest side this afternoon. The officer was home at the time along with his wife and young daughter. The officer grabbed his gun and began firing as the intruders tried to make their way in. They ran off to an awaiting getaway car after the officer began firing. Investigators are not sure if any suspects were shot. They're watching local hospitals to see if anyone comes in seeking treatment for a gunshot wound. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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