Houston News

Friday, December 30, 2011

Off-duty officer shoots man outside SE Houston restaurant

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police have already filed aggravated assault charges against the man who reportedly threatened an off-duty officer with a knife. But there are questions about exactly what happened at the Denny's on the Gulf Freeway near Airport around 3am Thursday.

Officer Julio Lopez is off the streets and on desk duty for at least the next three days as HPD Internal Affairs, Homicide and the District Attorney's Office investigate. While police claim the man who was shot threatened the officer and his brother with a knife, some say the incident is not as cut and dry as HPD is making it out to be.

No one answered the door at Officer Lopez's southeast Houston townhome on Thursday. The five-year veteran HPD officer lives just a few miles from the Denny's restaurant where police say he shot and wounded a man who allegedly threatened the officer with a knife. It happened in the parking lot.

Lopez, who was off-duty, had stopped here to have breakfast with his brother and cousin after leaving a nightclub. That's when they started arguing with Clemente Vela, 32, and two other men.

HPD spokesman Victor Senties said, "The officer discharged his weapon at least twice into the air and repeatedly identified himself as a police officer. The suspect ignored that, got even more aggressive and went towards the officer with a knife in his hand as if he was about to stab him."

But there are conflicting accounts over what led up to the shooting. A witness who was inside the Denny's told Eyewitness News that Lopez was being loud, claims he appeared drunk and that Lopez made racially offensive remarks that angered Vela and his two friends, who are all minorities.

Lopez's attorney Chad Hoffman said, "I spent more than six hours with the officer today and he clearly was not intoxicated."

Hoffman told us it is standard procedure for an off-duty officer to submit a blood alcohol sample after discharging his weapon, though it's unclear if that was done in this case. Houston Police Union President Ray Hunt says HPD policy puts police officers between a rock and a hard place.

"One general order says that any measureable amount of alcohol in your system, you are prohibited from taking any police action," Hunt explained. "Another general order says that you're a police officer 24/7 and that if you see something occurring you shall take action."

Vela was shot at least four times and is recovering in the hospital. He's been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Officer Lopez has been with hpd since January of 2006.

local, andy cerota

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Court records: Suspected drunken driver plows into homeowner checking mailbox

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This time of year, you hear the warnings over and over again about the dangers of drinking and driving. And now, there's another reminder. A northeast Houston woman was hit by a drunk driver -- at her own home.

Fifty-four-year-old Konhkahm Tran had just dropped a gift at a relative's house on Christmas Eve before returning home to check for mail. Gerald Layfield, who is accused of hitting her, spent a few days in jail before posting bond. Now Tran, a mother and wife, will be spending all of the holidays in the hospital.

Most of us think the danger is only on the road, but one family found out the hard way that it can follow you home.

The mailboxes in the 1800 block of Isom now sit on new posts. The tire tracks and skid marks from the crash that took them out are still visible, while Tran's family prays she pulls through.

"I hope she's going to make it, just hope," said Tran's sister Somphone Siviseth.

Tran was checking the mail on her way home on Christmas Eve when, according to court records, an intoxicated Layfield veered off the road, first hit the mailboxes and then her, sending her over the fence.

"She flew up, hit the tree, falling down -- didn't even move," Tran's brother-in-law, Kou Sisavat, said.

The crash drew neighbors out of their homes and away from their celebrations.

"The truck was on the side, like the wheels were facing the street," neighbor Jose Valadez said.

Tran's family has practically skipped Christmas. They've been at the hospital every day since.

"Right now she's still unconscious, so we don't know. Already five days, she still hasn't woken up yet," Sisavat said.

Layfield was one of 156 drivers charged in Harris County with intoxication crimes over the Christmas weekend during another No Refusal Program. According to the district attorney's office, 41 of those drivers had a blood alcohol content of greater than .15, nearly twice the legal limit of .08; and since September 1, a new law now makes that a Class A misdemeanor, which means potentially more jail time.

"If their blood-alcohol-content is .15 or above, they face up to a year in jail instead of 180 days in jail," DWI attorney Steve Shellist said.

Layfield is charged with intoxication assault because of Tran's serious injuries. He faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted, and she faces a long fight.

"They should put him away for a long time so they don't do it again," Sisavat said.

According to Harris County court records, this is the second alcohol-related offense for Layfield. But the first, a misdemeanor DWI back in 1986, has long been disposed. He is due in court in February.

local, jessica willey

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Five Ws About Houston Attorneys

Renting an Apartment in Houston

Man accused of stabbing wife, setting home on fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police have arrested a man they say stabbed his wife and tried to set his own home on fire. Neighbors and investigators say this was not the first time there have been problems at that home.

Investigators are still trying to sort out the details that left Craig Parker and his wife both injured. Parker's wife has been treated at Memorial Hermann Northwest and was expected to be released late in the day. Craig was treated and released from the hospital, but he remains in police custody.

The fire trucks and ambulance shattered the early morning quiet along the 6500 block of TC Jester. Police say Craig Parker stabbed his wife, then poured gasoline around their home before attempting to set it on fire.

James LaGrone lives next door.

"I didn't see nothing," he said. "I'm standing in my driveway trying to wonder what was going on. I know there's a big commotion there, but I don't know what's going on."

Firefighters quickly put out the small fire, and Parker's wife was taken to the hospital. Initially, firefighters didn't know where to find Parker.

"We didn't know for sure where he was," explained Houston Fire Department District Chief Michael Thorp. "He reportedly was still in the house. As it turns out, he was. He bailed out of a window."

Parker was treated and released from the hospital, but the alleged stabbing wasn't his only brush with the law. Court documents show last June he was accused of kicking his wife. His own attorney even filed paperwork saying she's worried about Parker's mental well-being and wanted him evaluated.

Neighbors found that hard to believe.

"Very friendly, very friendly, stayed to themselves, also spoke in a good mood, enjoyed their family members, you know, had visitors and everything like that," said neighbor Stacy Williamson.

Parker's attorney confirms the husband and wife both worked as civilian contractors in Iraq. Neighbors say when they came back, everything seemed normal. Thursday's alleged stabbing and fire was the last thing they expected.

"Nothing like this has ever happened," Williamson said. "You can't predict this, things happen."

Grown children we reached at the couple's home did not want to comment on the incident. Parker's attorney was unaware of the event until we brought it to her attention.

The police department says legal proceedings are on-going.

local, miya shay

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Security experts weigh in on armored truck robbery

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's been more than 24 hours since gunshots rang out in the parking lot of the Kroger in the Heights and an armored van was stolen.

We're still waiting for details on how much money was stolen in the heist, and police have not released much information about the suspect. But there are questions about what went wrong, and how the suspect was able to take control of the van.

As the investigation continues, some security experts we spoke with are curious about the outcome.

It happened in broad daylight Tuesday in front of witnesses -- an armored van and its two armed guards stopped at a Kroger Fuel Center and overtaken by what police were told was a lone gunman.

"It looked like he was shooting at the van. He wasn't trying to shoot out everywhere. He just focused on the armored truck," said one eyewitness.

The van and all the money it contained were hijacked and recovered one street away at an apartment complex. The robber was said to have left in a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser. The heist was big news certainly in the security world.

"It's very seldom that an armored vehicle gets taken," said Sergeant Glenn Anderson with BP International Security Training.

BP International is in the business of training those who want to be security guards and that includes working as armored car guards. What baffles Sgt. Anderson is why the armored car guards from Tuesday's robbery appeared to both be out of the truck and vulnerable to a robber. Usually, we're told, a driver always stays in the vehicle.

"It's very seldom that the officer inside the truck is going to get robbed unless there are high-powered assault rifles involved and explosives involved like you might see on your little TV shows. But it has to be a well-synchronized robbery in order for you to get the truck," said Sgt. Anderson.

As for the stolen armored van, it's now back at Triple D Security, bullet holes and all. We attempted to speak to the company office, but they told us no one was available.

It's unknown for now whether one guard left the van to protect his partner who may have been threatened by the gunman at the time. All of that will be part of the FBI investigation, according to a spokesperson.

heights, local, deborah wrigley

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HPD: Teen driver slams into restaurant

Police and witnesses stand outside James Coney Island in west Houston where an SUV had just crashed into the building. This photo was taken and submitted by @_Edson__. If you have a photo or video of breaking news, email it to news@abc13.com to be featured online.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A driver crashed a sports utility vehicle into a west Houston restaurant Wednesday evening.

It happened just before 8pm at James Coney Island in the 700 block of Town & Country Blvd. at Town & Country Village off Beltway 8.

According to investigators, a teen-aged driver was going to park outside the restaurant, but he driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

The SUV took out a large window and a corner of the restaurant.

Officials said no one was injured in the accident.

local
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Friday, December 30, 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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