Houston police shootings of unarmed people this year.
On Sept. 16, an unarmed 26-year-old man was shot in the leg by police officers on Beechnut after he reached for a cellphone on his waistband that officers believed was a gun. Investigators learned that the man had a history of mental illness and had attempted suicide several times, including an attempt just a few months ago.
On July 9, Rufino Lara, 54, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was fatally shot by an HPD officer who reported that Lara ignored repeated commands to stop and show his hands. The officer said Lara had his hand in his waistband, and when he whirled to face her, she shot him, believing he could have had a weapon.
A search showed Lara had a beer can concealed in his waistband. Activists are suspicious because two witnesses contend Lara had his hands up against a wall before he turned to face the officer.
In the first seven months of 2012 compared to the same period last year, officer-involved shootings have almost doubled. As of July 25, Houston police were involved in 14 shootings with suspects, killing seven, on pace to exceed the 21 incidents last year by the police in which nine persons were killed.
Texas law mandates that officers receive 16 hours of crisis training, although Houston and some other departments provide additional instruction. Lt. Mike Lee, who oversees HPD's mental health services, told the Chronicle recently that the department teaches officers to talk in a calm voice and not to get close to or touch individuals.
No police officer in Harris County Texas has been charged in a shooting since the prosecution of Sgt. Jeffrey Cotton, who was acquitted by a jury in May 2010 for shooting an unarmed man outside the victim's Bellaire home.
