The family protests the shooting by forming a human sandwich.
Posted on 10/19/2007 2:59:25 PM PDT by Bayou City
HPD officer shoots, kills naked man who chased him Account by police disputed by family members, community activist
By ROSANNA RUIZ Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
A Houston police officer used his Taser on, then fatally shot a combative, naked 29-year-old man Thursday afternoon in northwest Houston, police said.
The man, identified by relatives as Raymond Smith Jr., stopped his pickup next to the officer's cruiser in a median in the 6000 block of T.C. Jester near DeSoto. The officer, identified today as five-year veteran Brian Bueno, had just ticketed another motorist.
Activist Quanell X said he had talked to an eyewitness whose account of the incident differed from that of police.
According to Houston Police Department spokeswoman Johanna Abad, Smith shouted at Bueno and began to take off his clothes. Bueno told Smith to get back into his truck and leave.
Bueno called for backup about 1 p.m. before getting out of his car and trying to subdue the man. The officer's Taser had no effect on Smith, Abad said.
Smith then ran into a nearby wooded area.
"The male is undressed completely, turns around and starts chasing the officer," Abad said. "The officer at this time begins retreating and as he is running backward, as he is retreating and seeing the guy come at him, he discharges his weapon."
Abad said she did not know how many times Smith was shot or where he was wounded. She also said she did not know if he was armed.
"The suspect gets up after being shot," Abad said, "and goes into the patrol car attempting to leave ... The officer receives backup and is being assisted in getting the suspect out of his car and in custody."
Two other Houston police officers and a deputy constable had arrived on the scene, Abad explained. "The suspect gets up and runs into the woods and this is where he expires."
Hans Marticiuc, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, said Smith was shot twice, but continued to struggle with officers and was Tasered again.
Police account disputed Family members and others at the scene questioned the version of events Abad related to reporters.
"You'll need to come up with a better story than that!" one person shouted.
"Why did they have to shoot him?" another person said.
Later Thursday, Quanell X held a news conference where he produced an eyewitness, Rhonda Kersee, who he said told him she had given police a different version of the events.
It could not be confirmed late Thursday if police had taken such a statement.
Kersee, who lives nearby, told police that Smith was pulled over by Bueno, who made Smith get out of the truck and patted him down, Quanell X said.
Smith did not disrobe, but his pants may have fallen down during the search, Quanell X said the woman told him.
Kersee said Smith was brought out of the woods, handcuffed, to the officer's car, where he may have been shot again because "there was some smoke," Quanell X said.
HPD and the Harris County District Attorney's Office will investigate the shooting, as is routine in such incidents. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Relatives at the scene Thursday afternoon were skeptical of Bueno's version of events. Smith's father, Raymond Sr., said he could not explain his son's behavior as it was described by police. He said that his son did not have a history of mental illness and was not on any medication.
Court records show Smith had a criminal record dating back to 1995 — eight convictions, half of them on drug charges.
The most recent charge was in 2003. He pleaded guilty in June of that year to the manufacture and delivery of less than a gram of a controlled substance and served almost all of a two-year prison sentence, records show.
Father of two daughters In 2001, Smith pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in prison, serving two. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and received a three-year sentence. He served one year.
He also was convicted of evading arrest, auto theft and other drug offenses.
Smith, known to relatives as "Tukey," was a longshoreman at the Port of Houston and the father of two daughters.
"Every time you saw him he had a smile on his face and he always wanted to give you a hug," said Evelyn Swan, the slain man's cousin. "He is not a rowdy person."
Other family members at the scene included Smith's brother and mother, whose car was parked near the cordoned-off police scene.
His mother, Patricia, sat in her car and wailed, "My baby, my baby!"
Chronicle reporters Dale Lezon and Anne Marie Kilday contributed to this story.
rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
When the nutburgers start shedding clothes in a violent situation, it's much like them holding up a giant flashing neon sign that says "somebody is going to die today". At this point they are completely out of their minds and beyond all reason.
Maybe cocaine intoxication: we saw this in Miami—a lot. They “burn up”, and think removing their clothes is the answer. One ran into Palm Beach surf and drowned.
Seems to rule out Smith having a concealed weapon.
Never happen, they pay out enough in lawsuits as it is now, and that's with disappearing dash cam videos. They'd have to start hiring people with more than a high school diploma.
I talked to a cop friend, he heard the officers call for assistance (several calls) and said the officer was very afraid of this guy. My friend said the perp had to be on drugs.
Great idea we could field a bunch of people with ethnic studies and transcendental art degrees. Just think thespians with guns.
A liberal DA wanted to go after him but the grand jury no-billed it.
The fact is, if the disparity in size and strength is great enough...particularly if enhanced by these types of drugs...a person should fear for their life and use whatever equalizer is available to keep the criminal from prevailing and very likely either permanently injuring or killing you.
“very possibly PCP. People in this condition are extremely dangerous. They don’t feel pain and have tremendous strength.”
Good call. Not to mention when people get dusted they tend to strip down nekkid as well.
35+ years ago Dirty Harry dealt with nakedness.....
Harry Callahan: Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That’s my policy.
The Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?
Harry Callahan: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher’s knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn’t out collecting for the Red Cross!
[walks out of the room]
The Mayor: He’s got a point.
I'd be satisfied with just an advanced certificate on the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights instead of the best way to do a flat top haircut and where to score HGH.
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